• Cooper Flagg selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft.
• Flagg shines with impressive stats from his freshman year at Duke.
• Dylan Harper joins the San Antonio Spurs as the second overall pick.
• Mavericks previously traded Luka Doncic, prompting excitement around Flagg's selection.
• Several Duke and Rutgers players also featured in the top picks.

In a highly anticipated moment, Cooper Flagg was selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the second-youngest player ever to achieve this after LeBron James. Flagg, who averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in his freshman year at Duke University, expressed his excitement by saying, "I'm feeling amazing. It's a dream come true, to be honest" after the announcement at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, where he was surrounded by his family. The Mavericks secured the top pick by winning the draft lottery with mere 1.8 percent odds, making history for the franchise, which had previously made the first overall selection in 1981.

Flagg’s selection comes at a pivotal time for the Mavericks, who faced backlash from their fanbase after trading star player Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. Flagg is expected to bring a new dynamic as he joins an already talented roster that includes Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks are looking to rebound from a disappointing season that ended in an early elimination from the playoffs, and Flagg’s athleticism and two-way play style may soon become key assets on the court.

Following Flagg, the San Antonio Spurs selected Dylan Harper from Rutgers University with the second overall pick. Harper, the son of NBA veteran Ron Harper, aims to contribute immediately alongside rising stars such as Victor Wembanyama. Expressing his eagerness, Harper said, "I'm feeling everything – all the emotions mixed in one bucket," highlighting his commitment to adapt and thrive within a talented roster.

The top five picks included VJ Edgecombe selected by the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3, followed by Kon Knueppel of Duke taken by the Charlotte Hornets at No. 4, and Ace Bailey, also from Rutgers, rounding out the top five with the Utah Jazz. These selections mark an important transition for many young players as they begin their professional careers in the NBA, with high expectations set from their collegiate performances.