In the summertime of 2023, Cooper Flagg was reclassified in highschool. This allowed him to graduate a 12 months early and develop into eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft.
After graduating from highschool in 2024, Flagg attended Duke College to play faculty basketball. Flagg grew to become a family identify in his solely season, profitable the Nasmyth Participant of the 12 months Award in 2024-25. There was some hypothesis that the 18-year-old would return to Duke for his second season. Nevertheless, Flagg opted to enter the 2025 NBA Draft, calling it “the most effective resolution in hindsight.”
Cooper Flagg is completely satisfied along with his resolution to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft
All NBA groups had the identical aim. It is about profitable the flag.@Cooper_Flagg Seem on the quilt of “Sports activities Illustrated” earlier than the draft 🔥 https://t.co/kd4F2qxZGO pic.twitter.com/aU39YrctYX
— Sports activities Illustrated (@SInow) June 18, 2025
Duke’s Cooper Flagg was lately interviewed by Sports activities Illustrated’s Chris Mannix. Flagg was requested in depth questions in regards to the draft course of and the choices he made alongside the best way. After the Blue Devils’ season ended, Flagg launched an official assertion saying, “I hope to return subsequent 12 months. Actions communicate louder than phrases, and that was true on this case. Whereas returning to Duke for the 2025-26 season was an choice for Flagg, he knew getting into the 2025 NBA Draft was the sensible alternative.”
The gifted ahead stated if he might return to the identical crew subsequent 12 months, he would “100 per cent” come again. That wasn’t the fact for Duke, however Flagg selected to make the choice that was greatest for him. He’s the consensus No. 1 choose and it could be silly to not enter the draft now. Flagg reclassified in highschool to be eligible for the 2025 draft. Rookies will probably be in a novel state of affairs in 2025 and 2026.
Dallas is not precisely a rebuilding crew. Their roster has a whole lot of expertise to win proper now, and Flagg provides to that. He’ll be part of Klay Thompson, PJ Washington and Anthony Davis. The Mavericks are one 12 months away from showing within the NBA Finals. Luka Doncic grew to become the cornerstone of that roster. He was traded to the Lakers, however Dallas struck gold and acquired the No. 1 choose within the 2025 NBA Draft. Nico Harrison might reset the franchise and set a generational outlook on Cooper Flagg.
