Appointed by many basketball analysts as the largest American prospect since LeBron James in 2003, even surpassing Zion Williamson in 2019, Cooper Flagg was selected on Wednesday as the first choice of the 2025 NBA draft by Dallas Mavericks. The event was held at Barclays Center in New York.
At 18, Flagg is wing and operates in positions 3 and 4. He had a great freshman season for the famous University of Duke, driving the Blue Devils to the end Four of March Madness, the main university tournament of the United States. The team was eliminated in the semifinal by the Houston Cougars, who lost the title to Florida Gators.
With averages per game of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 stumps, 1.4 ball thefts, 38.5% of the three -point ball, 84% of the free bid line and 48% effectiveness in block throws, flagg draws attention for maturity, defensive solidity and high game IQ. The talent has already been praised by several NBA stars, including LeBron James, with whom it has been often compared, even though it was visibly thinner than James when it arrived at Cavaliers in 2003.
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“He (flagg) had an amazing year in Duke. A guy who can do so many different things on the court. You can play with the ball, can play without the ball. His throw will continue to get better. Super Atlético, with a second heel very fast,” LeBron told Tuesday to the Mind The Game podcast.
With 2.06m, wingspan of 2.22m, 102 kg and a lot of athleticism, Flagg is also associated with names such as Scottie Pippen and Jayson Tatum, for the combination of defensive impact, versatility and creation capacity.
The trip to Dallas marks a new chapter for the Mavericks, who won the first choice of draft even with only 1.8% chance in the draw, the second lowest probability among all franchises. The arrival of flagg occurs months after the controversial exchange of Luka Doncic with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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In 2024, Flagg was invited to participate in friendlies who served as preparation for the American team for the Olympics and impressed everyone on the team that would then win the gold medal in Paris.
Born in Newport, Maine, the young man gained national projection still in high school, defending Nokomis Regional High School and then the traditional Montverde Academy in Florida. Being ranked as a five -star prospect.
Out of court, Flagg has a discreet profile and with few social networks. He is sponsored by New Balance, a sporting goods brand that has been investing more and more in the basketball market, and luxurious Hugo Boss.
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Another curiosity is that Cooper has a twin brother named Ace, with whom he played in high school. Although there is no official confirmation, there is speculation that he is a Boston Celtics fan.
In Texas, Cooper Flagg will work alongside two of LeBron James’ greatest companions: experienced pivot Anthony Davis and currently injured and also Duke’s currently injured and also a Duke. It is expected to become one of the NBA’s main faces in the coming years and develop a historical rivalry with French Victor Wembanyama, 2.24m, the main player of San Antonio Spurs.
