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Duke Sends Strong Cooper Flagg Message Before NBA Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated May 12, 2025 11:40 AM ET

The Duke Blue Devils had a phenomenal college basketball season, led by a freshman trio of Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach.

Duke finished the season with a 35-4 record, reaching the Final Four after defeating Mount St. Mary's, Baylor, Arizona and Alabama in the NCAA Tournament.

The Blue Devils ultimately lost to the Houston Cougars, marking the end of Flagg's college basketball career.

Soon after the season, Flagg declared for the NBA draft, along with Knueppel and Maluach.

While Knueppel and Maluach are projected lottery picks, Flagg, who originally committed to Duke as the No. 1 overall recruit, is expected to keep that tag and be drafted No. 1 in the draft.

The NBA draft lottery is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. ET. Hours before the lottery, the Blue Devils' social media team shared a message for NBA teams that could be in position to select early in the draft.

"If I get a top 3 pick tonight I am taking Coop, Kon or Man Man and feeling really good about it," posted the official social media account of the Duke Blue Devils.

If I get a top 3 pick tonight I am taking Coop, Kon or Man Man and feeling really good about it
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) May 12, 2025

Flagg finished his freshman season with the Duke Blue Devils averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, all of which led the ACC program.

He was the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Award, joining Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson and Kevin Durant.

Flagg was also named the Naismith National Player of the Year, winning the accolade over Auburn Tigers star Johni Broome.

According to Sam Quinn at CBS Sports , The following teams have the best odds to land Cooper Flagg with the projected No. 1 overall pick: Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets.

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

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