NBA draft: Cooper Flagg goes to Dallas Mavericks as No 1 overall pick
The Dallas Mavericks did what everyone knew they would on Wednesday when they selected Cooper Flagg as the No 1 overall pick in the NBA draft.
'I'm feeling amazing. It's a dream come true, to be honest,' Flagg said after he was selected, surrounded by his family. 'I wouldn't want to share it with anybody else.'
The forward was brilliant in his single year of college basketball at Duke, which had come after he was a highly touted player in high school.
When Dallas overcame long odds in this year's draft lottery to win the No 1 overall pick, there was no doubt they would go on to pick the 18-year-old from Maine. It is a move that may go some way to soothing the Mavs fanbase, who erupted in anger when the team traded superstar Luke Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February.
The 6ft 8in Flagg helped guide Duke to an NCAA Final Four appearance after averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks as a freshman. He won the Wooden Award as the nation's best college player along with taking home other honors including ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC All-Defensive Team.
The Mavericks had the No 1 overall pick for the second time in franchise history. They also had the top selection in 1981, when they drafted Mark Aguirre out of DePaul.
The San Antonio Spurs picked Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper with the second overall pick. Harper, son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, will play alongside French phenom Victor Wembanyama on a Spurs team that are starting to look like they could become a force in the Western Conference again after a few downs years.
The 76ers then took Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, getting the first sustained burst of loud cheers of the draft from what seemed to be a number of Philadelphia fans who made the trip to Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first two picks had long been expected, but the No 3 spot was the first one where there was intrigue.
Kon Knueppel made it two Duke players in the first four picks when the Charlotte Hornets took him at No 4. Ace Bailey, who could have been in the mix to go third but declined to work out for the 76ers, ended up going at No 5 to Utah.
1) Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke
Scouting report: Only the fourth freshman named Associated Press men's national player of the year. Led Final Four team in scoring (19.2), rebounding (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.4). Shot 38.5% on 3-pointers and 84% on free throws. Ranked in 85th percentile or better in converting as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls, post-ups and transition, according to Synergy's analytics rankings. Set Atlantic Coast Conference freshman record with 42 points against Notre Dame. Turns 19 in December.
2) San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers
Scouting report: Freshman lefty who thrived as scorer (19.4) and lead ballhandler with two-way potential. Notably scored 36 points against Notre Dame, then 37 a day later against then-No 9 Alabama in November. Averaged 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals. Son of former NBA guard Ron Harper. Couldn't lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Ace Bailey. Turned 19 in March.
3) Philadelphia 76ers – VJ Edgecombe, guard, Baylor
Scouting report: Explosive athleticism stands out at both ends. Above-the-rim finisher who creates highlight-reel moments. Freshman ranked among combine leaders in max vertical leap (38.5). Must improve outside shooting consistency (34%), but had seven games with at least three made 3s. Had 11 games with three-plus steals.
4) Charlotte Hornets – Kon Knueppel, forward, Duke
Scouting report: Efficient wing scorer. Made 40.6% on 3-pointers. Ranked in Synergy's 98th percentile on spot-up shooting (52.9%). Ranked sixth nationally at the foul line (91.4%). Had 10 games with at least four assists, indicating potential as secondary playmaker. ACC Tournament MVP. Lacks elite athleticism.
5) Utah Jazz – Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers
Scouting report: Versatile, athletic shotmaker with midrange and stepback skills. Streaky shooter had five January games with at least four threes for defense-stretching potential, yet also notable skids at the foul line and behind the arc. Last season's second-ranked recruit couldn't lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Dylan Harper. Turns 19 in August.
6) Washington Wizards – Tre Johnson, guard, Texas
Scouting report: Southeastern Conference's scoring leader (19.9) who also led all Division I freshmen. Broke Kevin Durant's freshman Longhorns record with 39 points against Arkansas. Shot 39.7% on three-pointers with 12 games of at least four threes. Shot 87.1% on free throws. Needs strength on slender frame. Turned 19 in March.
7) New Orleans Pelicans – Jeremiah Fears, guard, Oklahoma
Scouting report: Freshman combo guard adept at creating space. Averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Attempted 6.3 free throws per game. Shot 28.4% on threes and averaged 3.4 turnovers. Must add strength. Turns 19 in October.
8) Brooklyn Nets – Egor Demin, guard/forward, BYU
Scouting report: Russian playmaker with size. Averaged 5.5 assists, second among Division I freshmen. Had 15 assists against two turnovers in 54 minutes in the last two games for a Sweet 16 team. Must improve shooting (27.3% on threes, 69.5% on free throws).
9) Toronto Raptors – Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, South Carolina
Scouting report: Sophomore with 7ft 1in wingspan and two-way potential. Averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks. Thrived in halfcourt by shooting 57.9% to rank in Synergy's 88th percentile. Shooting is a concern after hitting 23.1% (9 of 39) of three-pointers and 69.5% of free throws in two seasons.
10) Houston Rockets (traded to Phoenix Suns) – Khaman Maluach, center, Duke
Scouting report: Has length and size of elite rim protector and lob threat. Runs floor well and thrived in pick-and-roll chances, ranking in Synergy's 99th percentile. Still-developing offensive skillset with 71.2% shooting largely coming on dunks and putbacks. Had combine's biggest wingspan at 7ft 7.75in.
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