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NBA draft: Mavericks make it official, take Cooper Flagg with No. 1 pick

June 26, 2025

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK — Cooper Flagg is headed to the Dallas Mavericks, who might have found their next franchise superstar less than five months after trading one away.

The Mavericks took the Duke forward with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Wednesday night, selecting the 18-year-old from Maine who was the national college player of the year in his lone season.

Mavericks fans were furious when Dallas traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers on Feb. 1, some immediately threatening to end their support of the team.

But the ones who stuck around might quickly love Flagg, who averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while leading Duke to the Final Four. The Mavericks quickly announced that Flagg would wear No. 32 in Dallas.

He joined Elton Brand, Kyrie Irving – who now becomes his teammate – Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero as Duke players drafted No. 1 since 1999, and he returned the draft to its longtime start with a one-and-done college player.

That’s the way the draft began every year from 2010 until Banchero’s selection in 2022, but the last two No. 1 picks, Victor Wembanyama and Zaccherie Risacher, are both from France.

Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper was taken by the Spurs with the No. 2 pick and will try to follow Wembanyama and Stephon Castle and give San Antonio a third straight NBA Rookie of the Year.

The 76ers then took Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, getting the first sustained burst of loud cheers of the draft from what seemed to be a number of Philadelphia fans who made the trip to Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first two picks had long been expected, but the No. 3 spot was the first one where there was intrigue.

Kon Knueppel made it two Duke players in the first four picks when the Charlotte Hornets took him at No. 4. Ace Bailey, who could have been in the mix to go third but declined to work out for the 76ers, ended up going at No. 5 to Utah.

This story will be updated periodically as the draft unfolds.

FIRST-ROUND PICKS

1. Dallas Mavericks — Cooper Flagg, forward, 6-8, 221, Duke

Scouting report: Only the fourth freshman named the Associated Press men’s national player of the year. He led a Final Four team in scoring (19.2), rebounding (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocked shots (1.4). He shot 38.5% from 3-point range and 84% on free throws. He ranked in 85th percentile or better in converting as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls, post-ups and transition, according to Synergy’s analytics rankings. He set the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman record with 42 points against Notre Dame. Turns 19 in December.

2. San Antonio Spurs — Dylan Harper, guard, 6-5, 213, Rutgers

Scouting report: The freshman lefty who thrived as a scorer (19.4) and lead ballhandler with two-way potential. He notably scored 36 points against Notre Dame, then 37 a day later against then-No. 9 Alabama in November. Averaged 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals. He is the son of former NBA guard Ron Harper. He couldn’t lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Ace Bailey. Turned 19 in March.

3. Philadelphia 76ers — VJ Edgecombe, guard, 6-4, 193, Baylor

Scouting report: Explosive athleticism stands out at both ends. He’s an above-the-rim finisher who creates highlight-reel moments. The freshman ranked among combine leaders in max vertical leap (38.5). Must improve outside shooting consistency (34%), but had seven games with at least three 3-point baskets. Had 11 games with three-plus steals.

4. Charlotte Hornets — Kon Knueppel, forward, 6-7, 217, Duke

Scouting report: Efficient wing scorer. He shot 40.6% from 3-point range. Ranked in Synergy’s 98th percentile on spot-up shooting (52.9%). Ranked sixth nationally at the foul line (91.4%). Had 10 games with at least four assists, indicating potential as secondary playmaker. ACC Tournament MVP. Lacks elite athleticism.

5. Utah Jazz — Ace Bailey, forward, 6-8, 203, Rutgers

Scouting report: Versatile, athletic shot-maker with midrange and step-back skills. A streaky shooter, he had five January games with at least four 3-point baskets for defense-stretching potential, yet also notable skids at the foul line and behind the arc. Last season’s second-ranked recruit, he couldn’t lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Dylan Harper. Turns 19 in August.

6. Washington Wizards — Tre Johnson, guard, 6-5, 190, Texas

Scouting report: The SEC’s scoring leader (19.9), who also led all Division I freshmen. He broke Kevin Durant’s freshman Longhorns record with 39 points against Arkansas. He shot 39.7% from 3-point range with 12 games of at least four 3-point baskets. He shot 87.1% on free throws. Needs strength on a slender frame. Turned 19 in March.

7. New Orleans Pelicans — Jeremiah Fears, guard, 6-3, 180, Oklahoma

Scouting report: The freshman combo guard is adept at creating space. Averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Attempted 6.3 free throws per game. Had a four-point play to beat then-No. 24 Michigan. Shot 28.4% from 3-point range and averaged 3.4 turnovers. Must add strength. Turns 19 in October.

8. Brooklyn Nets — Egor Demin, guard/forward, 6-8, 199, BYU

Scouting report: Russian playmaker with size. Averaged 5.5 assists, second among Division I freshmen. Had 15 assists against two turnovers in 54 minutes in the last two games for a Sweet 16 team. Must improve shooting (27.3% from 3-point range, 69.5% on free throws).

9. Toronto Raptors — Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, 6-7, 240, South Carolina

Scouting report: He’s a sophomore with a 7-1 wingspan and two-way potential. Averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocked shots. Thrived in halfcourt by shooting 57.9% to rank in Synergy’s 88th percentile. Shooting is a concern after hitting 23.1% (9 for 39) from 3-point range and 69.5% of free throws in two seasons.

10. Houston Rockets (traded to Phoenix Suns) — Khaman Maluach, center, 7-1, 253, Duke

Scouting report: He has the length and size of an elite rim protector and lob threat. He runs the floor well and thrived in pick-and-roll chances, ranking in Synergy’s 99th percentile. He has a still-developing offensive skillset with 71.2% shooting largely coming on dunks and putbacks. He had the draft combine’s biggest wingspan at 7-6¾. From South Sudan, he turns 19 in September.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (traded to Memphis)

12. Chicago Bulls

13. Atlanta Hawks

14. San Antonio Spurs

15. Oklahoma City Thunder

16. Memphis Grizzlies

17. Minnesota Timberwolves

18. Washington Wizards

19. Brooklyn Nets

20. Miami Heat

21. Utah Jazz

22. Atlanta Hawks (traded to Brooklyn Nets)

23. New Orleans Pelicans

24. Oklahoma City Thunder

25. Orlando Magic

26. Brooklyn Nets

27. Brooklyn Nets

28. Boston Celtics

29. Phoenix Suns (traded to Charlotte)

30. Clippers

AP sports writer Aaron Beard contributed to this story.

Orange County Register

News Details

NBA draft: Mavericks make it official, take Cooper Flagg with No. 1 pick

FIRST-ROUND PICKS

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