Who is Cooper Flagg, the number one pick in NBA Draft Lottery 2025

The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery delivered a jaw-dropping twist as the Dallas Mavericks , with a mere 1.8% chance, clinched the No. 1 overall pick. This unexpected victory positions them to select Duke's standout freshman, Cooper Flagg .


"The winner of the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes is the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks surprisingly won the No. 1 overall pick in Monday's NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, and will surely use the pick on Flagg, the Duke star who excelled as a freshman in his one college season. Dallas will get the chance to draft Flagg just months after its controversial trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.The Mavericks had just a 1.8 percent chance of landing the top pick. They became the team with the fourth-lowest odds to win the lottery. The 1993 Orlando Magic (1.52 percent) were the lowest," Reuters reported.


Following the Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs secured the second pick and are expected to select Rutgers guard Dylan Harper. The Philadelphia 76ers landed the third pick, with the Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz rounding out the top five. Notably, the Jazz, who had the best odds, slipped to the fifth spot.


What is the NBA Draft Lottery?

The NBA Draft Lottery is basically the league’s way of mixing things up so that the worst-performing teams don’t automatically get the top picks in the draft. It's kind of like a lucky draw — but with ping pong balls, a lot of tension, and millions of fans watching with sweaty palms.


Here’s the deal: every year, 14 teams that didn’t make it to the playoffs get entered into the lottery. Each of them gets a certain number of chances (aka lottery odds) based on how bad their season was. The worse you did, the more chances you have to land that precious No. 1 overall pick. But — and here’s the kicker — nothing is guaranteed. You could be the team with the best odds and still end up picking 5th. Or you could be the Dallas Mavericks in 2025, with just a 1.8% chance, and still snag the top spot.


The top four picks are decided by the lottery, and the rest fall in line based on the reverse order of win-loss records. "For the drawing, all 14 balls are placed in the lottery machine. They are mixed for 20 seconds, and then the first ball is drawn. The remaining balls are mixed in the lottery machine for another 10 seconds, and then the second ball is drawn. There is another 10-second mix, and then the third ball is drawn. There is a final 10-second mix, and then the fourth ball is drawn. The team that has been assigned the combination of the four balls drawn from the machine will receive the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft," the NBA explains.


With the NBA Draft scheduled for June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in New York, all eyes will be on the Mavericks as they make their selection. The addition of Cooper Flagg could mark the beginning of a new era for Dallas, aiming to return to championship contention.


Who is Cooper Flagg?

Cooper Flagg is an 18-year-old basketball phenom from Newport, Maine, poised to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Standing at 6-foot-9 and weighing 225 pounds, Flagg played his freshman season at Duke University, where he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His shooting percentages were impressive: 48.1% from the field, 38.5% from three-point range, and 84% from the free-throw line.


Flagg's accolades include being named the Associated Press National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and ACC Rookie of the Year. He led Duke to the Final Four, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.


Known for his versatility, Flagg excels on both ends of the court. His defensive prowess is highlighted by his shot-blocking and steal capabilities, while offensively, he is a capable scorer and facilitator.


With the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, they are expected to select Flagg, aiming to rebuild their franchise around this promising talent.