The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is in the books, and the top of the draft played out like everyone expected. Up until pick No. 5, it all went according to plan. Cooper Flagg went first overall to the Dallas Mavericks, followed by Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecombe. Then came Flagg’s Duke teammate, Kon Knueppel, slotting in at No. 4 for the Charlotte Hornets.
A third Duke player, Khaman Maluach, went 10th overall, putting an exclamation point on a fantastic draft for the Blue Devils, with the second round still to come. As if there was any doubt about the friendship that was bonded during their time at Duke, Flagg delivered a wholesome moment during the draft when Knueppel was announced as the pick for the Hornets.
Cooper Flagg can’t hold back emotion when Kon Knueppel gets drafted
While Flagg was being interviewed for NBA TV by Taylor Rooks, he heard Knueppel’s name being called over a PA announcement. Flagg couldn’t finish his sentence and let out a big exclamation of emotion. He was extremely excited for his college teammate.
Flagg then went into some detail about why he got so excited about “my guy“, telling Rooks that Knueppel was more than just a teammate to him.
“It’s surreal. Kon, that was my roommate last year. So just to see him have that moment, him and his family, it’s just insane. It really just gave me chills, that was crazy.“
Flagg will now have the opportunity to get close to some of the best players in NBA and showcase his qualities as a teammate to them. The likes of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson will see firsthand what made Flagg such a complete prospect, both and off the court, heading into the NBA.
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