Cooper Flagg Selected No. 1 Overall by Mavericks in NBA Draft
NEW YORK — In a highly anticipated NBA draft, the Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg from Duke as the first overall pick, rekindling hopes of finding a franchise superstar after trading Luka Doncic earlier this year. The 18-year-old forward, hailing from Newport, Maine, averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds during his standout season, leading Duke to the Final Four.
Flagg expressed excitement about joining the Mavericks, eager to learn from Hall of Fame-caliber teammates like Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II, both Duke alumni. "It’s going to be an incredible experience," Flagg said, noting the importance of his home state’s support as he begins his professional career. "It feels amazing knowing I can inspire younger kids."
The draft also marked a return to familiar territory for the league, with Flagg joining a prestigious list of Duke players, including Elton Brand and Zion Williamson, drafted No. 1 since 1999. His selection breaks a trend, marking the first college player to be taken first overall since 2022.
Other notable picks included Rutgers’ Dylan Harper, drafted second by the Spurs, with ambitions of securing a Rookie of the Year award. The 76ers chose Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe at No. 3, while Duke’s Kon Knueppel was picked fourth by the Charlotte Hornets, solidifying Duke’s dominance with three top-10 selections and surpassing Kentucky for the most first-round picks since 1989.
The draft continues tonight, promising more trades and selections as teams fine-tune their rosters for the upcoming season. The excitement surrounding Flagg’s potential impact and the Mavericks’ future remains palpable among fans and analysts alike.
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