After months of being projected as the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft, former Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg saw that become a reality on June 25. The Dallas Mavericks, who won the draft lottery despite having the 11th-best odds, selected him.
Moments after hearing his name called, Flagg called it a "dream come true."
"I'm feeling amazing. It's a dream come true, to be honest," the 6-foot-9 forward said, standing next to his family. "I wouldn't want to share it with anybody else."
Fast forward to Wednesday, and the Mavericks brought Flagg in to officially sign his rookie contract worth $62.7 million over four years. Afterward, the 18-year-old put on his new threads for the first time and posed for some photos.
Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg.
Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Mavericks posted the photos on social media, and a little while later, the NBA responded with a message to Flagg.
"WELCOME TO DALLAS, COOPER FLAGG!" the league wrote.
It won't be long before fans can watch Flagg in action as a member of the Mavericks. Dallas will open the NBA Summer League on July 10 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Newport, Maine native will look to make the same impact he made in just one season at Duke. There, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists while leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four and a 35-4 record.
Flagg also won National College Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year and was named a consensus first-team All-American.