With the NBA playoffs heating up for eight lucky teams, the rest of the league is already looking ahead, and for good reason. The 2025 NBA Draft class is one of the most anticipated in recent memory, led by none other than Cooper Flagg, the 18-year-old phenom out of Duke. As the NBA Draft Lottery and Combine kick off this week, Flagg is firmly in the spotlight and embracing every second of it.
Following a dominant freshman season that saw him lead the Blue Devils to the Final Four, Flagg is widely expected to go first overall in June’s draft. “These are the type of things you dream about as a kid,” Flagg said as he began his stint at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. That dream now inches closer to reality as scouts, fans, and front offices prepare for a player they believe can reshape a franchise.
A historic season for Duke’s rising star
Flagg’s freshman campaign was nothing short of elite. The versatile forward averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while also contributing heavily on defense with 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per contest. His shooting splits, 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc, only strengthened his case as a generational talent.
What impressed scouts most, however, was his two-way impact. Flagg showed the maturity and versatility of a seasoned pro, often anchoring Duke’s defense and initiating offense with poise. His ability to influence both ends of the court is what makes him not just the best prospect in the class, but potentially a future face of the league.
Draft lottery stakes skyrocket
The NBA Draft Lottery airs Monday night on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. EST, and one lucky franchise will land the opportunity to select Flagg first overall on June 25. Until then, he’s using the Combine, running from May 11-18 in Chicago, to showcase his skills and mindset to teams.
Cooper Flagg is not just preparing to enter the NBA, he’s stepping into a role he’s been groomed for his whole life. As the countdown begins, one thing is clear: the next chapter of his journey is just beginning, and the basketball world is watching.
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