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Duke Sends 1-Word Cooper Flagg Message to Dallas Hours Before NBA Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 4:56 PM ET

Reigning National Player of the Year Cooper Flagg is the most obvious No. 1 overall pick since the San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama with their top pick in 2023.

In a surprising turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks were awarded the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NBA draft lottery — despite a 1.8% chance of landing the top selection.

Flagg put together a brilliant freshman campaign with the Duke Blue Devils in 2024-25, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game and leading the program to a Final Four appearance.

Flagg will no doubt hear his name called by the Mavericks with the No. 1 overall pick in Wednesday night's NBA draft process.

Duke sent a simple one-word message to Dallas just hours before the selection process began.

"Congrats," the team wrote, along with a pre-draft hype video.

congrats @dallasmavs! pic.twitter.com/h7mES9lZNl
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) June 25, 2025

The Mavericks are understandably excited about landing a player of Flagg's caliber. Dallas head coach Jason Kidd reportedly has some serious hopes for the incoming rookie.

“There’s a buzz about Cooper Flagg," NBA insider Tim MacMahon reported earlier this week. "I’m told Jason Kidd sees shades of another Duke guy in Cooper Flagg, a guy who J-Kidd shared the Rookie of the Year Award with, Grant Hill. Cooper Flagg is really gonna have a chance, especially early in the season when Kyrie Irving's out, to play a point forward type of game. He's gonna have the ball in his hands a lot, and J-Kidd thinks he can facilitate.”

The 2025 NBA draft will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday night.

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

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