The Dallas Mavericks are widely expected to draft Duke star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Dallas’ WNBA counterpart, the Wings, also landed the No. 1 pick in 2025, selecting UConn standout Paige Bueckers.
According to Keenan Womack of SI.com, Bueckers offered advice to Flagg, praising his competitive spirit and urging him to stay true to what got him to this point.
“Don’t try to appease people or try to live up the expectations that other people set,” Bueckers said. “Just be who you are. He’s a winner, and he’s a competitor.”
Flagg flashed his sky-high potential and winning mentality during his lone season at Duke, helping lead the Blue Devils to a 35-4 record. He became just the fourth freshman in NCAA men’s history to earn Naismith College Player of the Year honors. On the women’s side, Bueckers remains the only freshman to win the award.
A versatile two-way wing, Flagg was considered one of the most highly touted players to come out of high school in recent memory. Even more impressive, he graduated high school a year early and will enter the NBA as an 18-year-old.
Flagg exceeded expectations at Duke, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers in 30.5 minutes per game across 37 starts. He also recorded shooting splits of 48.1/38.5/84.0 during that span.
While expectations will be high at the NBA level, Flagg has proven himself as a dynamic and polished talent. He’ll look to make an immediate impact for the Mavericks during his rookie season.
