Cooper Flagg is the brand new Maine man in Dallas.
The Mavericks took the Duke ahead with the No. 1 choose within the NBA draft Wednesday evening, hoping they’ve discovered their subsequent franchise celebrity lower than 5 months after buying and selling Luka Doncic away to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Flagg, the faculty participant of the yr who averaged 19.2 factors and seven.5 rebounds whereas main Duke to the Ultimate 4. The Mavericks shortly introduced that Flagg would put on No. 32 in Dallas, the place fellow Duke merchandise Kyrie Irving and Dereck Vigorous II are on the roster.
“I’m actually excited. I feel I hold saying I’m excited to be a sponge, to get down there and simply be taught, be surrounded by Corridor of Fame-caliber guys and simply to have the ability to be taught from them,” Flagg mentioned. “It’s going to be an unbelievable expertise.”
His choice — thought of doubtless ever since Flagg confirmed off his appreciable sport final summer season after being invited to the U.S. Olympic crew’s coaching camp — was a daylong celebration in his dwelling state for the 18-year-old ahead from Newport, Maine.
“It means loads to me to have the assist of the entire state. I understand how many individuals confirmed up immediately and supported me at a number of the draft events again dwelling,” Flagg mentioned. “It feels superb understanding I can encourage youthful children. I used to be of their footwear actually not that way back, so simply to know I can provide these children these emotions and have the entire state behind me, it means loads.”
RELATED | Los Angeles Lakers confirms sale of majority stake in franchise to Mark Walter
He joined Elton Model, Irving, Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero as Duke gamers drafted No. 1 since 1999, and he returned the draft to its longtime begin with a one-and-done faculty participant.
Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper was taken by the Spurs with the No. 2 choose and can attempt to comply with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Citadel and provides San Antonio a 3rd straight NBA Rookie of the 12 months.
The 76ers then took Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, getting the primary sustained burst of loud cheers of the draft from what appeared to be a number of Philadelphia followers who made the journey to Barclays Heart in Brooklyn. The primary two picks had lengthy been anticipated, however the No. 3 spot was the primary one the place there was intrigue.
Kon Knueppel made it two Duke gamers within the first 4 picks when the Charlotte Hornets took him at No. 4.