Averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, Cooper Flagg led the Duke Blue Devils to the Final Four in his lone college basketball season.
Now, Flagg is heading to the NBA, where he is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft.
The Dallas Mavericks, after a tough end to the 2024-25 NBA season, finally saw their luck turn, winning the No. 1 pick in Monday’s lottery despite only having a 1.8% chance.
If the Mavericks do, in fact, select him with the top pick, Flagg would add to an already loaded roster that includes Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson.
Even with the likely No. 1 pick guarantee, Flagg still made his way to Chicago, Illinois, to perform in the NBA draft combine. During an interview with Bleacher Report at the event, many draft prospects were asked who the NBA’s best player was.
Flagg was quick to pick Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
“Best player in the NBA right now, Joker,” Flagg said. “I mean, he just does so much. Like he impacts winning in so many ways.”
Jokic had the most votes for best player in the above interview. Other prospects who picked Jokic as the best player in the NBA include Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida), Alijah Martin (Florida), Derik Queen (Maryland), Liam McNeeley (UConn), Kon Knueppel (Duke), Vlad Goldin (Michigan) and Sion James (Duke).
Different NBA stars were mentioned as well, including the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Clippers’ James Harden, Suns’ Kevin Durant, Lakers’ LeBron James and Knicks’ Jalen Brunson.
But Jokic has made a strong case as the league’s top star over the past few seasons. He won three NBA MVP awards in a four-year span while leading the Nuggets to their first championship win in franchise history in 2023.
Although he likely won’t win his fourth MVP this year, Jokic still finished the season averaging a triple-double of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists.
