Cooper Flagg's likely NBA destination revealed after draft lottery

5 hours ago 2

NEWYou tin present perceive to Fox News articles!

Since precocious school, it's agelong been assumed that Cooper Flagg would beryllium the apical enactment of this year's NBA Draft. Now helium knows wherever helium (likely) volition beryllium heading.

The Dallas Mavericks won the NBA Draft lottery connected Monday, meaning they presently ain the archetypal wide selection.

Dallas had an 8.5% accidental to prime top-four and a 1.8% to triumph the lottery.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Duke Blue Devils guardant Cooper Flagg (Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)

The Mavs' play turned into turmoil erstwhile they traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, prompting instrumentality hatred to wide manager Nico Harrison, who needed heightened information passim the remainder of the season.

But each of a sudden, each seems OK successful Dallas.

The Utah Jazz, with an NBA-worst 17-65 record, had the champion likelihood astatine the apical pick, but they dropped each the mode to No. 5. Utah has ne'er selected No. 1 nor person they ever improved their draught standing. Since the NBA changed its lottery strategy successful 2019, the squad with the champion likelihood has ne'er selected first.

Duke Blue Devils guardant Cooper Flagg (Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images)

MICHAEL JORDAN TO JOIN NBC AS 'SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR' FOR NBA COVERAGE

Flagg heightened his ain expectations by declaring for Duke successful precocious school, and past helium lived up to the billing.

Flagg led Duke this play successful astir each statistical category, including points (709), rebounds (278), assists (155), steals (52) and blocks per crippled (1.4). He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game, but his champion showing was successful January erstwhile helium acceptable an ACC freshman grounds with a 42-point show against Notre Dame.

Flagg closed retired a phenomenal twelvemonth with a semifinal quality successful the NCAA men’s tourney and was named the victor of the 2025 Naismith Player of the Year Award, becoming conscionable the 4th freshman to beryllium named its recipient, on with Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson.

His Blue Devils mislaid a precocious pb against Houston, who returned the favour to Florida successful the nationalist championship.