NBA fans expected Cooper Flagg to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft before the Maine native even committed to the Duke Blue Devils, but after the 18-year-old phenom won the Wooden Award as the nation’s most outstanding player, there wasn’t a question left in anyone’s mind. The Dallas Mavericks confirmed as much after they won the draft lottery earlier this month, reportedly already deciding that they would take the superstar forward after the odds miraculously fell in their favor.
Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks for one of the best freshman seasons in program history, but he won’t be the first Blue Devil labeled the crown jewel of a draft class. In fact, if the Mavericks do hold steady at the No. 1 spot, he’ll join forces with 33-year-old Kyrie Irving, one of five previous Duke basketball players taken in the first overall slot.
No college basketball program can match the Blue Devils’ five No. 1 picks. In fact, the Kentucky Wildcats (three) are the only other school with more than two, and that doesn’t even factor Flagg’s upcoming selection into the math.
Here’s a look back at the five Duke basketball players who came off the board first before Flagg’s professional career gets underway on June 25.
Art Heyman
Year: 1963
Team: New York Knicks
1962-63 Duke Stats: 24.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 45.2% FG
Elton Brand
Year: 1999
Team: Chicago Bulls
1998-99 Duke Stats: 17.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.3 steals, 1.1 assists, 62.0% FG
Kyrie Irving
Year: 2011
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
2010-11 Duke Stats: 17.5 points, 4.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, 52.9% FG, 46.2% 3PT (11 games)
Zion Williamson
Year: 2019
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
2018-19 Duke Stats: 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.8 blocks, 68.0% FG, 33.8% 3PT
Paolo Banchero
Year: 2022
Team: Orlando Magic
2021-22 Duke Stats: 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.9 blocks, 47.8% FG, 33.8% 3PT