Cooper Flagg of Duke will almost certainly be the first overall pick in next month’s 2025 NBA draft. The Dallas Mavericks overcame long lottery odds to earn the coveted top slot. If the cards align as many predict, Flagg will join other Blue Devils who have gone in the first round of the NBA draft. Here’s a look at that draft history …
Dick Groat, 1952, Fort Wayne Pistons
Former Pittsburgh Pirates former shortstop Dick Groat reacts as he is presented an award by former pitcher Steve Blass. Groat had a long baseball career but was also the third overall pick in the 1952 NBA draft.
Art Heyman, 1963, New York Knicks
Duke Blue Devils guard Art Heyman (25) shoots a lay-up against Oregon State Beavers.
Jeff Mullins, 1964, St. Louis Hawks
Golden State Warriors guard Jeff Mullins in action against the Atlanta Hawks during the 1972-73 season at The Omni.
Jack Marin, 1966, Washington Bullets
Kentucky Wildcats guard Pat Riley drives against Duke Blue Devils guard Jack Marin (24) during the 1966 Final Four at Cole Fieldhouse.
Tate Armstrong, 1977, Chicago Bulls
Duke Blue Devils center court logo at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
CBS television commentator Jim Spanarkel watches the Princeton practice session for the first round of 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Mike Gminski, 1980, New Jersey Nets
Duke Blue Devils forward Mike Gminski (43) shoots against Wake Forest.
Mark Alarie, 1986, Denver Nuggets
North Carolina Tar Heels guard Michael Jordan (23) in action against Duke Blue Devils forward Mark Alarie (32) during the ACC tournament at Greensboro Coliseum.
Johnny Dawkins, 1986, San Antonio Spurs
Duke guard Johnny Dawkins in action during the 1982-83 season.
Danny Ferry, 1989, Los Angeles Clippers
Duke Blue Devils forward Danny Ferry in action against the South Carolina State Bulldogs.
Alaa Abdelnaby, 1990, Portland Trail Blazers
The Cameron Crazies.
Christian Laettner, 1992, Minnesota Timberwolves
Christian Laettner gets off a last-second shot to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA tournament in Philadelphia.
Bobby Hurley, 1993, Sacramento Kings
Duke guard Bobby Hurley in action against Wake Forest during the 1993 season at the LJVM Coliseum.
Grant Hill, 1994, Detroit Pistons
Duke’s Grant Hill (33) in action against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at LJVM Coliseum.
Cherokee Parks, 1995, Dallas Mavericks
Wake Forest Demon Deacons center Tim Duncan puts up a shot between Duke Blue Devils forward Cherokee Parks and Tony Moore.
Roshown McLeod, 1998, Atlanta Hawks
Clemson Tigers fans attempt to distract Duke Blue Devils forward Roshown McLeod at Littlejohn Coliseum.
William Avery, 1999, Minnesota Timberwolves
Duke Blue Devils guard William Avery (5) in action during the 1998 season.
Corey Maggette, 1999, Seattle SuperSonics
Duke Blue Devils forward Corey Maggette with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kris Lang defends at the Dean E. Smith Center.
Trajan Langdon, 1999, Cleveland Cavaliers
Duke Blue Devils guard Trajan Langdon in action during the 1997 season.
Elton Brand, 1999, Chicago Bulls
Duke Blue Devils center Elton Brand in action.
Shane Battier, 2001, Vancouver Grizzlies
Shane Battier poses during a portrait session.
Mike Dunleavy, 2002, Golden State Warriors
Duke Blue Devils forward Mike Dunleavy looks to pass as Maryland Terrapins guard Juan Dixon defends at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Jay Williams, 2002, Chicago Bulls
Jay Williams of Duke drives to the basket during a game with Notre Dame.
Dahntay Jones, 2003, Boston Celtics
Dahntay Jones dunks over David Graves of Notre Dame.
Luol Deng, 2004, Phoenix Suns
Luol Deng of the Duke Blue Devils with the ball during the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
J.J. Redick, 2006, Orlando Magic
J.J. Redick #4 of the Duke Blue Devils jumps into the stands to save a loose ball.
Shelden Williams, 2006, Atlanta Hawks
Shelden Williams of the Duke Blue Devils blocks a shot by Mark Tyndale of the Temple Owls.
Gerald Henderson, 2009, Charlotte Hornets
Duke Blue Devils guard Gerald Henderson against Wake Forest.
Nolan Smith, 2011, Portland Trail Blazers
Duke Blue Devils guard Nolan Smith defends against Arizona Wildcats guard Lamont Jones.
Kyrie Irving, 2011, Cleveland Cavaliers
Duke Blue Devils guard Kyrie Irving dribbles as Michigan Wolverines guard Darius Morris defends.
Miles Plumlee, 2012, Indiana Pacers
Duke Blue Devils forward Miles Plumlee against the Purdue Boilermakers.
Rodney Hood, 2014, Utah Jazz
Duke Blue Devils forward Rodney Hood shoots as Virginia Cavaliers forward Anthony Gill defends.
Jabari Parker, 2014, Milwaukee Bucks
Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker saves a ball from going out of bounds.
Tyus Jones, 2015, Cleveland Cavaliers
Duke Blue Devils guard Tyus Jones (5) brings the ball up the court during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Justise Winslow, 2015, Miami Heat
Duke Blue Devils forward Justise Winslow lays the ball up over Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Jahlil Okafor, 2015, Milwaukee Bucks
Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor puts up a shot after being fouled by Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky.
Brandon Ingram, 2016, Los Angeles Lakers
Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram reacts during the 82-68 loss against Oregon Ducks.
Harry Giles, 2017, Portland Trail Blazers
Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles shoots against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks.
Luke Kennard, 2017, Detroit Pistons
Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell.
Jayson Tatum, 2017, Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum) dunks the ball in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks.
Wendell Carter Jr. 2018, Chicago Bulls
Duke Blue Devils forward Wendell Carter Jr. shoots against Kansas Jayhawks forward Silvio De Sousa.
Marvin Bagley III, 2018, Sacramento Kings
Duke Blue Devils forward Marvin Bagley III and Kansas Jayhawks guard Marcus Garrett go for a loose ball.
Cam Reddish, 2019, Atlanta Hawks
Duke Blue Devils forward Cam Reddish shootsover Michigan State Spartans forward Kenny Goins.
R.J. Barrett, 2019, New York Knicks
Duke University forward R.J. Barrett dribbles the ball up the floor in a preseason game against Ryerson University.
Zion Williamson, 2019, New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson (Duke) looks on prior to the start of the 2019 NBA draft at Barclays Center.
Jalen Johnson, 2021, Minnesota Timberwolves
Duke Blue Devils forward Jalen Johnson shoots against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Wendell Moore Jr., 2022, Dallas Mavericks
Wendell Moore Jr. (9) warms up on the court before the game against the Atlanta Hawks.
A.J. Griffin Jr., 2022, Atlanta Hawks
AJ Griffin #14 of the Atlanta Hawks poses for portraits during media day at PC&E Atlanta on October 02, 2023.
Mark Williams, 2022, Charlotte Hornets
Mark Williams (Duke) poses for photos on the red carpet before the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center
Paolo Banchero, 2022, Orlando Magic
Former Duke Blue Devils forward Paolo Banchero reacts to the North Carolina Tar Heels taking the floor prior to a game at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Dariq Whitehead, 2023, Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets forward Dariq Whitehead lays on the floor after getting fouled in the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Barclays Center.
Dereck Lively II, 2023, Oklahoma City Thunder
Duke Blue Devils center Dereck Lively II speaks to the media after the game against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles at Amway Center.
Jared McCarin, 2024, Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain reacts before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Wells Fargo Center.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Duke University will add to history of first-round NBA draft picks