Latest news with #Flagg
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Cooper Flagg reportedly made staggering $28 million in NIL money in one season at Duke
Cooper Flagg might be taking a pay cut to go to the NBA. Flagg, who is expected to go to the Mavericks with the No. 1 pick in the draft, earned $28 million through two NIL deals during his one year at Duke, reporter Howard Bryant told Bob Costas on 'The 92nd Street Y.' Entering Duke as the No. 1-ranked freshman in the country, Flagg had a $13 million deal with New Balance and a $15 million deal with Fanatics. Advertisement 3 Cooper Flagg answers questions from reporters during media availability at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images It is unclear if those figures represent the totality of multi-year deals or a one-year payment. Either way, the money didn't distract Flagg from the prize as he won National Player of the Year and led Duke to the Final Four. The top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is expected to sign a four-year, $62.7 million contract, according to Advertisement That averages out to a shade under $16 million per year – or about the same as what another former Duke star, Grayson Allen, earned to average 10.6 points per game in 64 games and seven starts for the lowly Wizards this season. Celtics star Jayson Tatum has the highest average salary in the NBA at $62.7 million. 3 Cooper Flagg led Duke to the Final Four. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Advertisement Of course, Flagg can still supplement his on-court income with endorsement deals. He will be represented by mega-agency CAA. The Mavericks surprisingly won the NBA Draft lottery despite having a less than two percent chance to get the No. 1 pick. 3 Howard Bryant revealed the massive amount of money Cooper Flagg made during his year at Duke. Bob Costas: A Career Conversation with Howard Bryant/YouTube It sparked a new wave of NBA conspiracy theories that the league was rewarding the Mavericks with Flagg for making their head-scratching trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers for a return that amounted to peanuts when compared to other blockbuster deals. Advertisement Presumptive No. 2 pick Dylan Harper played at Rutgers after signing an undisclosed NIL deal with Fanatics. Harper's teammate at Rutgers, presumptive No. 3 pick Ace Bailey, had an NIL deal with Nike. ESPN's On3 ranked Flagg as the second-most-desirable NIL athlete in college sports last season, behind Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former No. 1 pick Blake Griffin offers advice to Player of the Year Cooper Flagg
Former No. 1 pick Blake Griffin offers advice to Player of the Year Cooper Flagg Blake Griffin entered the NBA with high expectations as the No. 1 pick in 2009, and the former 13-year veteran recently offered some advice to likely top pick Cooper Flagg. Griffin was the Player of the Year and the clear choice to be the top pick in the draft after a stellar two-year run at Oklahoma. Though Griffin missed his first year due to a knee injury, the former All-American was the Rookie of the Year and an All-Star the following season. After living up to the hype to begin his career with the LA Clippers, Griffin is an ideal person to offer Flagg advice as he heads into the NBA. Griffin, speaking with Bryan Kalbrosky of For The Win, preached patience, with the draft less than four weeks away. Just enjoy it. It sounds sort of cliché, but it all goes by so quickly. You'll only experience this draft process one time. Soak it in and don't get too weighed down with all the other stuff. All the people around you will take care of all that. Just enjoy every single moment. Remember, this is just the beginning. As a young guy, you want everything right away. You want to get to everything. But your career is a marathon. Enjoy it. Appreciate all the hard work you've done to get to this point. Know that it continues. Flagg led Duke to the Final Four, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on 38.5% shooting from 3-point range. He became the 22nd player in program history to be named a consensus first-team All-American. The 18-year-old knows a thing or two about expectations himself after entering this past season with high hopes as the consensus top recruit in the class of 2024. He was highly touted out of the Montverde Academy and eventually established himself as the face of the sport. Flagg is considered a lock to be selected with the first pick by the Dallas Mavericks and projects as the next generational player the organization can build around. Like Griffin, Flagg will have a highly anticipated rookie campaign next season.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Top prospects returned to college, but plenty of talent remains. Here's our latest look at every pick
If you're just here for the mock draft, scroll down. Or check out my 2025 NBA Draft Guide with a full two-round mock and scouting reports for every prospect. The depth of the 2025 NBA Draft class just took a massive blow. In the final 24 hours before the withdrawal deadline, 10 of my top 70 ranked prospects decided to return to college. In total since the end of the college season, 32 of my original top 100 all decided to run it back. Advertisement 'This year's draft class, more than any ever, has been affected by the NIL and the new pay-for-play,' Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told NBC Sports Boston. 'The money can be higher in some of these schools than the bottom of the 20s in the draft. Good for them.' Staying in school isn't just about development or team loyalty anymore. It's about real money. Why go be the 42nd pick and grind in the G League when you can drive a Tesla around campus and drop 25 in front of a packed student section? And in the process of having that unique college experience, ideally improve for next year's draft? Good for the players, indeed. Some of the returns weren't a shock. Tahaad Pettiford, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Alex Condon were always 50/50 bets to stay in the draft. But within one hour of the deadline, Labaron Philon announced he was heading back to Alabama. That one stung for teams hoping to get a steal in the late first round, and was a shocker to the draft sickos who thought he was a lottery talent. But for Philon? This is the right move. Mark Sears is gone. The ball is his now. He'll be the guy on a strong team with national title hopes. The online draft community is absolutely in the right to feel Philon is a lottery talent, but he wasn't getting picked in the top 14 this year. He might next year, and he'll have plenty of opportunities to work his way even higher. So yes, the pool got way shallower. But this class still has juice in the 20 to 45 range with role players, rotation guys, and long-term keepers. And as always, the defining variable isn't just talent. It's fit, opportunity, and the randomness of NBA development curves. Let's get into my two-round mock draft. Advertisement For full scouting reports of every player, check out my draft guide. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports Illustration) All indications are that the Mavericks will indeed keep the first pick, select Flagg, and take a two timelines approach. I still wonder: Is there any deal the Mavericks would take to trade away Flagg: Giannis Antetokounmpo? A haul of draft picks to move down one spot? Luka Dončić? Just kidding on that last one. Anyway, odds are Flagg is in Dallas next year because he can help in both the short-term and long-term as a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer, and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He's both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. As long as his jumper falls, he could play as a small forward next to Anthony Davis and another big. It's his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling. If the Spurs keep the second pick and don't trade out of this position, it seems like Harper will be the pick. Harper is a big-bodied lefty combo guard with NBA blood in his veins, as the son of Ron Harper, who was a 20/5/5 guy before winning five titles as a role player. Like his father, Harper has a high floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace. He isn't an ideal fit, though, next to De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle because of questions about his jumper. Harper made only 36.8% of his catch-and-shoot 3s and just 28.7% of his dribble jumpers as a Rutgers freshman. Fox and Castle are more interior-focused guards, too, and so is Jeremy Sochan in the frontcourt. How many shaky shooters can the Spurs really put around Victor Wembanyama? No matter what the Spurs are signaling ahead of the draft, I'm not convinced taking Harper is Plan A. Sixers fans are already at war over Bailey. On one side of the debate, the Rutgers freshman is viewed as a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. And at his size, he fits next to Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain in the years to come. While his upside is clear, the other side of the debate rightfully wonders: Can the Sixers afford to wait on Bailey to maybe turn into something when the clock is ticking on the Joel Embiid era? And how realistically will Bailey accept a backseat role? In Chicago he was asked about his wild shot selection and said: 'That might be a bad shot to you, you don't work on it. I work on it.' The issue is he made only 36.4% of his midrange pull-ups and 24.4% of his pull-up 3s. If he's willing to change his shot diet, then concerns about his short-term fit in Philly would be alleviated. But not entirely. Bailey's shooting inconsistency, plus his raw edges as a shot creator and defender, need sanding down. So at the least, the expectation around the league is the Sixers will look around and see if there are any offers worth taking for this pick, whether it's a trade down or out. Edgecombe had an excellent interview with the Hornets, league sources say. And while there are no locks he'll be the pick, plenty of executives believe he's the favorite if he makes it to the fourth pick. And it's understandably so because Edgecombe perfectly fits alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller as an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Edgecombe needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator, but that'll matter less in Charlotte as long as Ball is healthy. It's unclear which direction the Jazz will go in here. They have Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier on the roster, and tons of players occupy the frontcourt. Odds are, the current roster will have no impact on which way Utah leans. And Johnson very well could be the best player available. He is a clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. But he needs to continue developing his point guard skills while also honing his shot selection and dramatically improving his defense. For my interview with Johnson, you can check it out on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. The Wizards have some talent in the backcourt, but no one has emerged as a true primary playmaker. That's why they're seemingly focusing on Fears, Tre Johnson, and Egor Demin. Fears has the skills to become the lead playmaker for them as a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He was one of college basketball's youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. But he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star. There are no untouchables in New Orleans. League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster. They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, namely Zion Williamson, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available. For now, let's give them Knueppel in this mock draft because he could fit on any roster with his skill-set. Knueppel brings more than just a sharpshooter's stroke thanks to his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and crafty scoring feel. He's got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player that takes over games he'll need to overcome his average athleticism. For my interview with Knueppel, you can check it out on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. You can also read a written version here. Essengue is a toolsy forward with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package, and highly versatile defense. Though he's a raw Frenchman, he's starting to string together his best run of the season. Over the last two months, he's making 80% of his free throws. Though his success isn't translating to beyond the arc (29% over this same stretch), it's at least encouraging his shooting is continuing to progress. Because it's his one big flaw. Otherwise, the 6-foot-9 forward has clear upside across the board, and that's why he's rising up draft boards. Brooklyn has a clean slate of a future, so it'd only make sense to take a big swing. Many executives around the NBA expect the Raptors to lean toward selecting a player that can help the team win games in the short-term with this pick, rather than a raw project. A number of choices would make sense here, but none more than Coward, who will be 22 years old as a rookie and has the maturity of a grown man, in part due to his fascinating journey: Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. At the draft combine, he was one of the biggest risers measuring in at 6-foot-5 barefoot with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, while shooting the hell out of the ball. And Coward brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision. For more on Coward, watch or listen to my one-on-one interview with him. Selecting Bryant would be on brand for the Rockets, since he's a rangy, athletic forward who projects as a highly versatile defender. And though he's raw as a ball-handler, he's a skilled spot-up shooter and a hyper-aware cutter. This means he could help the Rockets in the short-term as a role player, but he'd still retain the upside to someday be much more than that. With that said, the Rockets have a pretty deep roster as is and minutes could be hard to come by for an incoming freshman like they were for Reed Sheppard last year. So league sources expect the Rockets to look into trading this pick, whether it's a trade way up, a trade out for a star, or a trade out for a group of future picks similar to what the Spurs received from the Timberwolves when they moved up for Rob Dillingham last year. The Trail Blazers could be targeting a shooter with this pick after ranking 24th in 3-point percentage and in the middle of the pack in attempts last season. McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn't project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense. Powell worked out for the Bulls this week, as I reported Monday on my podcast. And he seems to be dramatically rising throughout this draft process, as he began to remind teams (and me) at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago why he was ranked as a lottery prospect entering his season at North Carolina. With a chiseled frame that he uses to barrel into defenders at the rim and to contain opponents when he's on defense, Powell posted arguably the best athletic testing numbers, and shot well. That shooting success has continued on through pre-draft workouts. He's a switch-everything defender who plays with a high motor, and if his spot-up jumper translates, he checks all the boxes to be a 3-and-D role player at a minimum. Richardson has been connected to the Hawks throughout the pre-draft process, in addition to other teams drafting in the late lottery. This is despite measuring at only 6-feet at the NBA Draft Combine. Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Jase didn't inherit his father's height or dunk contest athleticism, though, so his smaller stature caps his upside. But does that matter? Look at the way the Pacers and Thunder play, with tons of players who can fly around the floor and make quick decisions. That's Richardson's exact style. It wouldn't be the biggest shocker if Maluach ends up slipping to the back half of the lottery with wings on the rise. And the Spurs could be a good landing spot for him since he could play both next to Victor Wembanyama and behind him as a much-needed backup center. Malauch is a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. But beyond dunking lobs, he's a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter, and creator. Such a raw skill-set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn't start playing basketball until he was 13. The Spurs can be patient with him, though, letting him play a focused role as he grows in those fundamental areas of the game. The Thunder had an all-time great defensive rating in the modern era, and if they win the NBA Finals they will go down as one of the greatest defenses in the history of sports. But with this pick, they do need to think ahead: Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, and Jaylin Williams all have only one guaranteed year remaining on their contracts. Maybe all three will be retained (Hartenstein has a team option for an additional year, and Holmgren and JayWill are coming off their rookie deals). But maybe not? OKC's advantage with so many picks is to plan for all potential scenarios, and Newell would fit the Thunder's style of play. He has springs in his legs, regularly slamming lobs and swatting shots, and his energetic style suggests he'll someday become a highly versatile defender. Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does it all. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards, and scores from everywhere. As a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high-level competition despite his age. But his skill-set would in theory allow him to fit right away on Orlando's roster, providing shooting to a team that ranked 25th in 3-point attempts and last in percentage. The Timberwolves got blasted by the Thunder in the Western Conference finals, and it's time for the franchise to take a long, hard look in the mirror at what's missing. Anthony Edwards is only 23 and should conceivably get better. Head coach Chris Finch's position will also be reevaluated. But the frontcourt is aging and getting pricy. And the backcourt desperately needs a reliable shot creator. Minnesota traded for Rob Dillingham last year, so he should help. But finding another one would be beneficial. If Jakučionis falls this far, he'd make perfect sense since he's a slick shot creator with a creative passing gene and a fearless scoring ability. He carves up defenses with crafty finishes, step-back jumpers, and jaw-dropping passes. As a freshman he'd follow up those highlights with turnover brain-farts that derail the hype train. But the Timberwolves would put him in a ball-sharing situation, which could put him in a better position to succeed. Queen's draft stock got dinged in Chicago with some executives expressing concern over his conditioning and his lack of progress as a shooter. And with wings rising up draft boards, he could be one of the casualties who falls out of the lottery. Maybe it'd end up a blessing in disguise for him landing with the Wizards, his hometown team as a native of Maryland. And he'd fit next to Alex Sarr in the frontcourt as a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves and crafty finishes, like his game-winning leaning jumper to send Maryland to the Sweet 16. If he translates his velvet touch to the perimeter he has offensive star upside, though his interior scoring, playmaking chops, and magnetic rebounding alone give him tantalizing potential. Check out my full interview with Queen on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Demin has one of the widest ranges in this draft class with people around the league seeing him as an option from anywhere in the mid-lottery to the late teens. The Nets would certainly be happy to take a swing on his rare ability at his size to make dazzling passes. Even though he struggled to shoot and create his own shot against lengthy defenders, he did perform well at the draft combine and is said to be excelling in pre-draft workouts with his tweaked shooting mechanics. Pat Riley said he has no plans to retire and that '80 is the new 60,' so it's hard to imagine the Heat going with a raw project in the draft. But would a talent like Traoré be too much to pass up on? The Frenchman oozes upside with his size, blazing speed, and shiftiness off the bounce. Inefficient scoring and erratic decision-making are the big concerns with him, but he's played his best basketball in recent months by shooting nearly 40% from 3 and 80% from the line. Riley may want to win now, but maybe he should think about the long-term future of the franchise too. Murray-Boyles could (and should) go much higher on draft night, but this is the way the board fell in this mock. The Jazz would benefit adding a much-needed defender to their team; Murray-Boyles operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball, and inhales rebounds. He's a special defensive presence, and offensively he's a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status. Penda plays like a veteran with a winning mentality, offering connective playmaking, switchable defense and high-level feel. He'll need to improve his jumper to stick long-term, but his unselfish game and defensive utility give him a strong foundation to contribute in Atlanta. With Myles Turner entering free agency this offseason, the Pacers could be in need of a center. Even if he does return, Raynaud could serve as a backup center or give Indiana a versatile option for a two-big look. Raynaud has leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle and makes eye-popping passes. As a talented passer who also offers solid defense, there's little reason to think the Frenchman won't carve out an NBA role. 24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers): Will Riley, F, Illinois Riley has dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. But his jumper is streaky, and his defense is unreliable since he is so lean physically and lacks fundamentals. The Thunder can be patient, though. With a loaded team that could win the NBA Finals, Riley can spend some time in the G League and develop until he's ready to shine. Here's another shooter for the Magic. Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. He has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, but this would matter less for an Orlando team that would place him in a defined role. 26. Brooklyn Nets (via New York): Thomas Sorber, F/C, Georgetown Sorber has a brick-house frame and the throwback skill-set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes, and gritty drop-coverage instincts. But to be more than a role player, he needs to tap into the flashes he shows as a shooter while also improving his perimeter defense. Sorber may not make it this far on draft night, but he'd end up giving the Nets a center for the long-term. The Nets have five top-36 picks. Are they really going to keep all of these? I doubt it. But regardless of what Brooklyn does, drafting one or multiple guards could make some sense since this roster is a clean slate. Saraf is a crafty lefty playmaker who relies on guile, footwork, and body control. Limited shooting and athleticism could cap his upside, but his positional size and skill could be hard to pass up. Thiero is a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step, but he has severe limitations on offense as a shooter. If he's able to figure out the shot, then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player. The Celtics have had good success at improving shooters, so he'd be a fair bet at this choice considering his other strengths are tailor made for their system. The Suns could absolutely use a big man, since Nick Richards is merely a backup. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It's a bit strange he isn't a better rebounder. But as a super senior, he's also developed some sneaky passing and shooting skills that hint at higher upside. 30. LA Clippers (via Oklahoma City): Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida James Harden can't be the only source of playmaking for the Clippers. They need someone who can allow him to operate off-ball, if he's willing. Clayton is a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment, as we saw when he led Florida to the national championship. But his limitations as a defender hold him back from being an elite prospect. SECOND ROUND 31. Wolves: Yanic Konan Niederhauser Konan Niederhauser would make for an excellent Rudy Gobert understudy. He is an elite athlete who lives above the rim as a finisher and shot blocker, and he displays some intriguing upside as a 7-foot shot creator. But he needs to improve his fundamentals to make it all click. Perhaps this is far too low for Gonzalez, who has seen his minutes tick up to nearly 20 per game in recent weeks and just had one of his best overall games with 13 points in 23 minutes. He is a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter. The Hornets were 28th in 3-point percentage last season, so finding more shooting is a must in this draft. Marković is a modern stretch forward who also offers skill as a passer and post scorer. But to handle the rigors of the NBA and become a positive defender, he needs to add a ton of muscle. Mark Williams must not have a future in Charlotte, so drafting a big would only make sense. Beringer began playing basketball only three years ago, which makes him a raw project, but also makes his natural talents all the more impressive. He's a center but has the quickness of a guard, giving him immense defensive versatility to build on for years to come. The Sixers could use a backup big man and Wolf would be a quirky choice that'd give them a different look. Wolf is a 7-footer who ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he's also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance. Toohey is a jack-of-all-trades Australian forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball around. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he's not someone who generates many of his own shots. The Nets drafted plenty of guys who can do a lot with the ball. Toohey would fit as a role player. This is Detroit's lone pick in this draft. How will they build on what was such a promising step forward this season? Sallis would make tons of sense since he could add both creation and shooting. He is a poised, efficient scorer with body control, defensive tenacity, and the passing feel to hint at more upside. If the jumper proves real, he could play a much larger offensive role than his current projection. The Spurs need more shooters and Brea projects as a shooting specialist who has a clear path to becoming a rotation player because of his highly sought after skill. But in order to avoid being a weak link on defense, he'll need to make improvements to his athleticism. Yang is a massive Chinese 7-footer who scores with old-school craft, passes well, and cleans the glass. But how much his slow feet and lack of shooting range can be improved will determine whether he can stick in the pros. Jakob Poeltl has only two years remaining on his deal (with a player option on the second year), so by the time Yang is ready to contribute it may come at a perfect time. Fears, Queen, and Watkins would be one hell of a haul for the Wizards to make up for the disappointment of lottery night. Watkins is a versatile player who can run the show, slash to the paint, and switch across positions on defense. But the development of his jumper is stuck in quicksand, which raises questions about his ability to excel in a less prominent on-ball role. The Warriors need more shooting, which explains everything about this pick. Lanier transferred to Tennessee after four years at North Florida and immediately thrived as a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. But without great size or playmaking at his age, he's a second-round prospect. Jones offers crafty combo guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassmen set to enter the league. Still, the Kings could use more creation especially if they have some departures this summer, such as DeMar DeRozan or Domantas Sabonis in a trade. Proctor is a tall combo guard with great passing vision that was expected to go one-and-done, but has taken until his junior year to look ready for the NBA. At this point, he's sharpened his jumper and become an even better defender. Danny Ainge has a history of fancying top high school prospects that end up falling in the draft, so Proctor would fit that same profile. Sandfort has a beautiful jumper and, off the catch, he's capable of knocking down shots from anywhere. And though his numbers slipped last season, he was playing with a broken wrist and torn labrums to both of his shoulders. The Thunder will someday want some cheap replacements that offer shooting so he would make perfect sense. Tonje will enter the NBA at age 24 with some readymade skills as an off-ball movement scorer and shooter. But his athletic ceiling and defense will determine if he's more than just a backup. It wouldn't be so bad if that's all he tops out as for the Bulls, who have Coby White currently leading the backcourt. So far in this mock the Magic have drafted a guard (Clifford) and a forward (Fleming). Both of them can shoot. Here, they get a wing in James, who after years of laying bricks has worked hard to become a dead-eye, spot-up shooter. And he brings much more than shooting as a crafty playmaker who keeps the ball moving. He's also a versatile defender who sets a tone with his hustle. No matter what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will need some shot creation next season with Damian Lillard sidelined for most, if not all, of next season. Nembhard is an excellent floor general who excels in pick-and-roll situations and made great progress as a scorer during his senior year. 48. Grizzlies: Javon Small, G, West Virginia With Ja Morant being as injury prone as he's been, it wouldn't hurt the Grizzlies to add another guard in the system. Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature. He's a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside. Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding, and defensive grit. His positional tweener status, streaky shooting, and limited creation ability complicate his ability to carve out a specialized role. But his positive traits are exactly what the Cavaliers were missing in their series loss against the Pacers. Mitchell Robinson is a great interior defender, but his limitations as a free-throw shooter can put a strain on the Knicks offense. New York needs another option to play at center. Broome is a super senior who brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense. Though his shaky jumper hasn't progressed as much as NBA teams had hoped, playing next to Karl-Anthony Towns would allow Broome to take the interior role. Advertisement Williams is a big wing who thrives on making tough midrange jumpers and movement 3s off the catch. He's an older prospect at age 24, but still belongs on the draft radar because of his spark-plug scoring skill set, which is why the Clippers could draft him. Dixon is a burly forward who brings a toughness and physicality to the game. As Villanova's all-time leading scorer, he showed versatile scoring skills, but in the NBA his lack of athleticism will put a limit on the type of usage he can receive. The pros outweigh the cons for a team in need of a tone-setter like the Suns though. 53. Jazz: Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan Goldin is a large Russian center who excels at scoring at the rim with soft touch, and as a senior he began to shoot jumpers. Concerns about his defense and athleticism put him in the second round, but he has the overall skills to be a rotation big, giving the Jazz more flexibility with how they build out their frontcourt. 54. Pacers: Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane Here's another big for the Pacers, possibly to stash overseas or let develop in the G League. Zikarsky is a big Australian center who plays a traditional role as an interior finisher and rim protector. He doesn't offer much else at this stage of his career, though, and hasn't shown many signs that he will. As the Lakers build out their roster around Luka Dončić, they're going to need rugged wings like Luis who can set a tone on defense with his versatility and intensity. At this point of the draft, every player has their flaws though. Luis got benched in St. John's final game because his shaky shooting and decision-making on offense became such an issue. If he can improve those concerns though, his downhill attacking style could become an asset. Ružić projects as a knockdown shooter with passing feel, though at only 18 until October, he is incredibly raw physically. With so many young players already on the roster, the Grizzlies could stash him and let him continue to develop overseas. 57. Magic: Neoklis Avdalas, F, Panathinaikos The Magic can't go a whole draft without drafting one guy with a questionable jumper, can they? Avdalas is a 6-foot-8 Greek forward with playmaking skill and versatility. His combination of size and court vision makes him an intriguing prospect, though questions about his defense and shooting remain. See, Orlando? If the Cavaliers make a big change this offseason by trading Jarrett Allen, they could use another big on the roster for two-big lineups. Almansa is an accomplished international big who projects as a versatile offensive hub and prolific rebounder, though sooner than later his production will need to start matching his flashes of upside. 59. Rockets: Dink Pate, G/F, Mexico City Pate looks the part of an athletic wing who can handle the ball, but he hasn't produced effectively in two G League seasons. Any team that takes him is rolling the dice that he someday develops his skills. Considering how deep the Rockets are, maybe they'd decide to take a patient swing with the final pick of this draft. Check out my 2025 NBA Draft Guide with a full two-round mock and scouting reports for every prospect.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Duke, Jon Scheyer Won't Be Thrilled With Latest 2025-26 Ranking
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The 2024-25 college basketball season was a good one for Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils. Led by Cooper Flagg, Duke was able to make an impressive run all the way to the Final Four. Unfortunately, in that Final Four appearance, the Blue Devils blew a lead late in the game against the Houston Cougars and were eliminated from national championship contention. It was a disappointing finish to an extremely good year. Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, Scheyer and company have a lot of work to do. Head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a call against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 18, 2023 in... Head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a call against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 18, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. More Photo byAs expected, Flagg decided to leave Duke to enter the 2025 NBA Draft. He is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, which would currently place him as the newest member of the Dallas Mavericks. Read more: Duke, Jon Scheyer Suffer Another Major Setback Due to NBA Draft Flagg was not the only key player to enter the draft. Kon Knueppel, who was also a five-star freshman for the Blue Devils, also left the program for the draft. Other Duke players who are leaving for the NBA are Khaman Maluach, Cedric Coward, Tyrese Proctor, and Sion James are also draft prospects. While Coward did not play for the Blue Devils last season, he was a huge transfer addition this offseason who would have helped replace Flagg and Knueppel. CBS Sports analyst Gary Parrish has released new early rankings for the 2025-26 season. When it came to Duke, the team was ranked just No. 9 in the nation. That isn't a bad ranking by any stretch, but it's not where the Blue Devils would like to be. "This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning three of the top nine scorers -- specifically Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba -- from a team that finished 35-4 and advanced to the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament," Parrish wrote. "That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Rice transfer Ifeanyi Ufochukwu, five-star freshman Cameron Boozer, four-star freshmen Nikolas Khamenia, Cayden Boozer and Sebastian Wilkins and international prospect Dame Sarr." Read more: Tom Izzo, Michigan State Receive Head-Turning 2025-26 Prediction Scheyer did an excellent job with what he had to work with this offseason. He has a great freshman class coming in and was able to secure some talent in the transfer portal as well. No one knows what to expect from the new version of Duke basketball, but the talent is there for the Blue Devils to win at a high level once again. For more college basketball news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'He doesn't do anything great' — NBA legend Carmelo Anthony gives his honest opinion on Cooper Flagg's basketball future
Carmelo Anthony and Cooper Flagg. Image via: Getty | Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images Carmelo Anthony's takes on NBA prospects have always been honest, at least, closest to reality. When it comes to Cooper Flagg, the NBA legend gave his honest opinion on the rising star, showering his praise and perspective. Appearing on Podcast P with Paul George, Melo shared his thoughts on Flagg's skillset and future as the young star edges closer to the pro level in the main roster. Carmelo Anthony revealed his thoughts on Cooper Flagg Cooper Flagg has been in the headlines, shining with his much-deserved spot being the subject of discussion for many NBA fans, analysts, and veterans. In his recent chat with Paul George, Carmelo Anthony also shared his thoughts on the #1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. 'Cooper is nice. Cooper is the real deal,' Anthony said, speaking with obvious respect. He pointed out that Flagg hasn't just played well, he's dominated at every age group, from 15U all the way up to taking over in matchups against college players. 'That trajectory… if he keep going that in four years, three, four years—come on, bro,' Carmelo added. Paul George and Carmelo Anthony on Cooper Flagg vs. Ace Bailey, Recovering from Tough Seasons & More Still, while Melo sees real potential, he's not blind to the challenges ahead. He made it clear that Flagg isn't necessarily flashy. 'He doesn't do anything great… he just does a lot of [stuff] very good,' Anthony explained. That includes rebounding on offense, playing the passing lanes, and showing serious growth as a defender on and off the ball. Melo also highlighted Flagg's growing confidence with mid-range shots, especially from the elbow. Still, Flagg must quickly adjust to the inherent challenges in the big league. Carmelo stressed that the league is a different beast. 'This is 82 games every single night… against [guys] who's headhunting,' he warned. Players in the league are always looking to make a statement. That's something Flagg will have to face head-on. One of the most striking parts of the conversation was Melo acknowledging the pressure that's about to hit the young prospect. 'You going into a team to lead. You're not going into a team just to be a part of a situation,' he said. 'You being thrown the keys… You the great white hope.' Flagg's upcoming rookie season has been the talk of the town with high anticipation attached to the rising NBA star. Melo is rooting for him. In fact, he's eager to see Flagg go up against NBA stars like Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Edwards. 'Because you coming in as that guy,' he said. Also Read: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops 40 as Oklahoma City Thunder edge Minnesota Timberwolves 128-126 taking commanding 3-1 series lead Flagg has been crowned Player of the Year and is widely expected to go No. 1 in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 18-year-old led Duke to the Final Four while putting up strong numbers across the board, including 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. With his shooting, versatility, and poise, many see him as a future star for the Dallas Mavericks. But not everyone is sold. Former NBA champ Tony Allen isn't convinced Flagg is the kind of player who can carry a franchise on his own. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
