“Goosebumps All Over”: Rolando Blackman Reacts to Dallas Mavericks Winning No. 1 Pick in NBA Draft Lottery
Rolando Blackman knew something special was in the air. Representing the Dallas Mavericks at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, the franchise icon arrived over two hours early, hoping to will something historic into existence. What followed was a night that left him speechless — and covered in goosebumps.
The Mavericks moved up in the NBA Draft Lottery for the first time ever, vaulting from the 11th-best odds and a slim 1.8% chance to the top overall pick in the June 25 draft. Blackman’s reaction was a mix of joy, disbelief, and pride in what the moment symbolized.
“You’re talking about goosebumps that were coming off my skin and also what our organization can do with this whole thing, too,” said Blackman, now the Mavericks’ inclusion ambassador. “What it means is the Mavericks can live again.”
Blackman admitted the tension was rising once Dallas jumped into the top four alongside San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Charlotte.
“When we went from 11 to four I was chomping down at the bit,” he admitted. “I was like, ‘Ok, here we go.’ It was almost like a game-winning play — let’s go get it, let’s go.”
As the countdown began, Blackman kept repeating the same hope in his mind.
“Don’t call my name.” When the final envelope revealed the Mavericks as the No. 1 team, he could hardly believe it. “That was so special,” he said. “I’m really happy for the franchise… we have the opportunity to get something very, very special out of this NBA Draft.”
The Mavericks are widely expected to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg, a two-way forward and national Player of the Year, at No. 1. But beyond the basketball impact, Blackman sees the win as a spark for the entire city.
“Our fans, also, I’m thinking about the positivity that they now can exude,” he said. “They can now be part of a positive future… and really have an opportunity to tie into a future that they can be a part of.”
Blackman reflected on the significance of Dallas holding the No. 1 pick for the first time since selecting Mark Aguirre in 1981 — the same year Blackman himself went No. 9 overall. “It just brings the whole thing full circle,” he said.
“I was really happy about it, because it just brings the whole thing full circle,” Blackman added. “Everybody in town and out of town can be a part of this special, special piece of what’s going down. Everybody can feel good about the future once again.”
Standing in the room well before the results were revealed, Blackman said he could feel something stirring.
“I got there at 4 o’clock today and I looked around,” he said. “I just tried to keep a strong spirit… It was special to have the spirits match the cards. When the spirits and the cards matched up, it was extra special.”
And when the Mavs’ name was the last one standing, Blackman could feel it in his bones.
“I was just happy to bring the spirit and bring the luck – however it happened,” he said. “We, the Mavericks, got it, so that’s good. I’m happy about it.”
Now, the Mavericks enter the offseason positioned to add a young star like Flagg that many teams in the NBA tanked to try to get, while already having veteran names like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson, among others, to build around.
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