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Cooper Flagg, Duke Teammates Match Historic Feat in NBA Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 10:41 PM ET

It was no surprise that, in this year's NBA draft, Cooper Flagg went No. 1 overall to the Mavericks. It was not even that much of a surprise that No. 4, to Charlotte, was Kon Knueppel, also of Duke. It was a bit of a surprise that big man Khaman Maluach stuck around until No. 10, but the Suns--having scooped up the pick in a trade with Houston for Kevin Durant--rounded out the first round's Top 10 by choosing him.

Three Duke freshmen. Three Top 10 picks. That put the trio in the NBA history books as the second group of three freshmen to go in the Top 10 of the draft in league history.

The other three: fellow Dookies Zion WIlliamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish in 2019.

Flagg, of course, was the centerpiece of the draft and by far the most anticipated player to come into the league here in 2025, and one of the most-anticipated in recent memory. Knueppel credited the time he spent guarding Flagg in practice for the leap he made as a defensive player this year.

Meanwhile, Flagg called Maluach, who only began playing basketball five years ago at age 13, his best friend. The three are very much intertwined as they enter the league.

As Flagg said of Maluach this season, "I mean, that's my dawg. We have a good connection being on the East campus. We had to live in the dorm. Me and Khaman are kind of extra close. Giving him rides all the time. Just connecting. Sharing some moments. That's my brother, that's the connection."

The three led Duke to the NCAA Final Four in April, where they ultimately lost to Houston in the semifinal.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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