The Dallas Mavericks did what everyone on the planet expected them to on Wednesday night, and that was to use their No. 1 pick overall in the 2025 NBA draft on Duke Blue Devils product Cooper Flagg.
Regarded by many as among the best NBA draft prospects in history, Flagg carries immense pressure on his shoulders to prove that he deserved the top-pick honor and that Dallas did the right thing by selecting him over the rest of the field.
Flagg even went down to work after the NBA draft -- sort of.
In a video Flagg posted via his Instagram account, the Mavericks rookie, who had a Dallas cap on, was seen shooting arcade hoops. Although nothing was on the line, Flagg looked determined in besting the other players in the game, as people in the background watched intently.
In a few months, Flagg will see real basketball action with the Mavericks, as many expect him to play a major role for Dallas right away.
Alongside the likes of Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson, Flagg should be featured on the floor a lot by head coach Jason Kidd, especially with Kyrie Irving needing several more months to completely heal from a torn ACL injury he suffered in March.
Cooper Flagg poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as first overall by the Mavericks.
Cooper Flagg poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as first overall by the Mavericks.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Without Irving, Flagg can get to showcase his wide range of playmaking abilities. In the 2024-25 college basketball season with the Blue Devils, Flagg averaged 19.2 points and 4.2 assists per game while posting a 59.3 true shooting percentage.