The 2025 NBA Draft kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, with all 30 first-round selections unfolding over a tightly scripted evening.
This two-night format extends into Thursday with the second round, as fans across the globe tune in to watch teams select the league’s next generation of stars.
On paper, Wednesday evening’s opening selection carries little suspense: the Dallas Mavericks, who secured the No. 1 overall pick via the draft lottery, are universally expected to take Duke Blue Devils freshman phenom Cooper Flagg.
But hours before networks roll their draft-night cameras onto him, Flagg himself made a subtle yet telling statement.
In a video circulating around social media, he appears suited up in head-to-toe royal blue, matching the Mavericks’ signature color palette.
A product of Newport, Maine, Flagg starred first at Nokomis Regional High School before transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida, where he captured multiple national high school Player of the Year awards in 2024.
He was a McDonald’s All-American, earned Gatorade National Men’s Athlete of the Year honors, and was lauded as USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year in 2022.
His lone collegiate season at Duke only amplified that acclaim.
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2).
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2).
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Flagg led the Blue Devils to a 35-win campaign that culminated in a Final Four appearance, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, leading his team in each category.
His two-way impact made him the National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American.
Now, all signs point to Dallas as his next home.