Cooper Flagg claims ESPY for Best College Athlete after electrifying season with Duke Blue Devils
Cooper Flagg's remarkable rise in the basketball world continued on Tuesday night as the former Duke Blue Devils phenom and current Dallas Mavericks rookie was named Best College Athlete at the 2025 ESPY Awards.
The 18-year-old's dominance in his freshman year has been hard to ignore. He is breaking records, winning major awards, and proving himself as one of the most electrifying young players in the sport. His ESPY win is yet another acknowledgment of a season that left college basketball in awe.
Cooper Flagg secured ESPY for Best College Athlete
Cooper Flagg was named the Best College Athlete at the 2025 ESPYs, edging past Oklahoma State wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson, Cornell lacrosse standout CJ Kirst, and Colorado football and Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter.
The win made Flagg one of the youngest players ever to claim the award.
— Mavs_FFL (@Mavs_FFL)
The 6-foot-9 forward had already set the bar high before arriving at Duke, and somehow exceeded expectations. His ESPY win came on the heels of being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks— the youngest top pick since LeBron James in 2003.
Flagg was also nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete at the same event, placing him in elite company alongside lacrosse star Chloe Humphrey, rugby's Ilona Maher, and MLB pitcher Paul Skenes.
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Other notable awards won by Cooper Flagg
The ESPY adds to what's been a historic haul of accolades for Flagg. In April, he was named the Naismith Men's College Player of the Year, becoming just the fourth freshman ever to win the award.
Flagg also earned AP National Player of the Year, winning 41 of 61 first-place votes and besting Broome once again in what became a two-man race for the honor. He later secured the John R. Wooden Award, making him Duke's eighth winner.
In addition, Flagg collected the Julius Erving Award for the nation's top small forward and was named a First-Team All-American, solidifying his status as college basketball's most complete player.
Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg's Summer League status
Flagg's leap to the NBA hasn't come without a few early lessons. His NBA Summer League debut was rocky, shooting just 5-of-21 against Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers. But he bounced back in emphatic fashion with a 31-point performance against San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper on July 12, drawing widespread praise.
Now, it appears that Flagg's time in the Summer League is done. He did not suit up for the Mavericks' July 14 game against the Charlotte Hornets and is unlikely to return before preseason begins this fall.
Also Read:
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark wins ESPY for Best WNBA Player
Through two Summer League outings, Flagg averaged 20.5 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and shot 35.7% from the field and 21.4% from three.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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