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HomeUncategorized‘It’s a Dream Come True’: Dallas Mavericks Select Cooper Flagg With No. 1 Pick in 2025 NBA Draft
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‘It’s a Dream Come True’: Dallas Mavericks Select Cooper Flagg With No. 1 Pick in 2025 NBA Draft

Grant AfsethGrant Afsethno comment
Cooper Flagg, Duke Blue Devils, NBA Draft, NCAA
Duke Athletics

The Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, making him the franchise’s first top selection since Mark Aguirre in 1981. Flagg will wear No. 32 for Dallas.

“Feeling amazing. It’s a dream come true, to be honest,” Flagg said after hearing his name called. “I wouldn’t want to share it with anybody else.”

The 18-year-old forward dominated in his lone season at Duke, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 48% from the field and 39% from deep. He led the Blue Devils to the Final Four and swept all major National Player of the Year honors.

Flagg now becomes the cornerstone of a Mavericks team retooling after trading Luka Dončić and winning the draft lottery with just a 1.8% chance at the top pick. He joins a restructured roster led by Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.

“You’re joining a team with a ton of incredible players and people that have had careers like they’ve had,” Flagg said ahead of the draft. “I think it would be a really great experience.”

During his pre-draft visit to Dallas, Flagg came away impressed with the environment, both on and off the court. He participated in a 75-minute workout that included live reads against defenders and spent time with coaches, staff, and players.

“It was an incredible visit for me,” he said. “I got a good hour and 15-minute workout in — a bunch of rebounders, staff, coaches, players. Guys got in and were guarding me, so to get some live reads was really good.”

He also had dinner with team leadership the first night and joined several players the following evening.

“That was just a really good experience,” Flagg said. “It was a great learning trip.”

Flagg becomes the second No. 1 overall pick in Mavericks history and the first player from Maine ever selected at the top of the NBA Draft. Dallas’ 1.8% chance of landing the top pick makes this the fourth least likely lottery win for the No. 1 selection in league history.

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Grant Afseth

Grant Afseth

Senior Writer
Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.
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