David Banks-Imagn Images

Cooper Flagg Name Drops Former Duke Center as Player He'd Like to Dunk on in the NBA

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gautam Varier | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 3:44 PM ET

The first round of the 2025 NBA draft is set to commence on Wednesday night, and the Dallas Mavericks are expected to select Cooper Flagg with the first pick. Flagg has been the clear-cut choice for the top pick for quite some time now following his exploits as a freshman with the Duke Blue Devils.

Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game for the Blue Devils in 2024-25. While Duke failed to capture the national title, losing to the Houston Cougars in the Final Four, Flagg was the consensus National Player of the Year. He certainly lived up to all the hype surrounding him before coming to Duke.

Flagg will attempt to do the same in the NBA. He is one of the most hyped American prospects to enter the league in recent history, and there is sure to be a lot of intrigue surrounding his debut.

Speaking of that debut, Flagg was asked what he thinks his first NBA bucket will be during an interview with House of Highlights. The 18-year-old went for a dunk on somebody, which then led to another question: Is there anyone he would like to dunk on?

"Khaman Maluach," Flagg said. "I feel like that'd be pretty cool."

Maluach was Flagg's teammate at Duke. He has a lot of love for Maluach but would like to dunk on him regardless.

Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game for Duke in 2024-25. He is expected to be a top-10 pick in this draft as well.

The NBA draft begins at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday on ABC and ESPN. The second round will take place at 8 p.m. ET Thursday on ESPN.

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

More must-reads: