Full 2025 NBA Draft Recap: Cooper Flagg Goes No. 1
The 2025 NBA Draft tipped off on Wednesday, June 25, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, setting the stage for rebuilding NBA teams to find their next franchise players. The Dallas Mavericks made headlines by selecting Duke freshman Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. Flagg, the National Player of the Year, is expected to become the future face of the Mavericks as they prepare for the post-Luka Dončić era. He will wear No. 32 for Dallas.
“Sharing that moment with my family—my mom, dad, and two brothers—was something I’ll never forget,” Flagg told ESPN.
Flagg dominated in his single season at Duke, leading in every major stat category and powering the Blue Devils to a Final Four appearance. He brings elite physicality, scoring touch, defensive instincts, and leadership to Dallas.
Top Lottery Picks Showcase Talent, Potential
The San Antonio Spurs followed at No. 2 with Rutgers standout Dylan Harper, a versatile left-handed guard with high-level playmaking abilities. At No. 3, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Baylor’s explosive wing VJ Edgecombe, praised for his athleticism and defensive prowess.
Charlotte chose sharpshooter Kon Knueppel at No. 4, while Utah grabbed scoring wing Ace Bailey at No. 5. The Wizards picked Tre Johnson from Texas at No. 6, and Jeremiah Fears landed in New Orleans as the No. 7 pick.
International and College Stars Fill Out First Round
Among the international talent selected, Yang Hansen (Qingdao, China) went No. 16 and Nolan Traore (France) was picked No. 19 by Brooklyn. Kasparas Jakucionis (Lithuania) joined the Heat at No. 20, bringing offensive playmaking to the backcourt.
Brooklyn was notably active, making five first-round picks including Egor Demin, Drake Powell, and Danny Wolf—a dynamic 7-footer with playmaking skills.
Other notable selections included Cedric Coward to Memphis, Derik Queen to New Orleans, and Carter Bryant to San Antonio.
International wing Hugo Gonzalez was picked by Boston at No. 28, and Liam McNeeley, known for his smooth shot, was selected by Phoenix and traded to Charlotte.
Rounding out the night, the Clippers selected Yanic Konan Niederhauser, a Swiss big man from Penn State who made waves at the G League Elite Camp.
First Round Analysis and Trades
This year’s 2025 NBA Draft was heavy on guard depth, wing versatility, and international upside. Several trades were completed, including:
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Liam McNeeley to Charlotte
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Walter Clayton to Utah
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Will Riley to Washington
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Nique Clifford to Sacramento
Teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder stockpiled picks, building future assets and targeting high-upside prospects.
Where and When to Watch the NBA Draft
The 2025 NBA Draft aired live on ESPN and ABC at 8 p.m. ET from Barclays Center. Viewers could also stream via Fubo and Sling TV.
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