2025 NBA Draft, Round 1, Dallas Mavericks select Cooper Flagg with first pick and Duke has three selected in Top-10

NEW YORK – Dream on.

Sage words and ones that 59 hopefuls are clutching tightly as the NBA Draft rolls on for two days here at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first round will be conducted on Wednesday, June 25 and the second round a day later on Thursday, June 26.

The newly minted World Champions Oklahoma City Thunder have barely started the party when the next crop of future stars congregates for a night that caps decades, years, countless workouts and practices and playing for different teams and coaches.

The one thing we took from Wednesday was four players from powerhouse Montverde (Fla.) Academy were selected: Cooper Flagg, Liam McNeeley, Derik Queen and Asa Newell. WOW! Coach Kevin Boyle really knew what he was doing when this quartet checked in. Boyle will weave his magic for SPIRE Academy (Geneva, Ohio) starting this fall.

Blue Star Media will provide updates throughout the first round with commentary. If you are watching on ABC/ESPN, check back because we’ll have you covered if you miss anything. Also, the updates are going out on social media X (formerly Twitter).

Enjoy the draft and all best to the players as they stake their futures and watch their dreams come to fruition.

LIVE updates throughout the draft.

FIRST ROUND

1. Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg, 6-8, Duke

Comment: The Governor of Maine today declared “Cooper Flagg Day.” (He’s from Newport, Maine, pop. 3,813). Perhaps one day the city of Dallas will do the same. The Mavs get a generational player who goes hard and effectively at both ends of the floor. Total package because he’s wired to play defense.

2. San Antonio Spurs, 6-5, Dylan Harper, 6-5, Rutgers

Comment: The Spurs need a building block player to compliment Victory Wembayama and Harper is the man. He is creative, instinctive lad guard with a tremendous upside. His dad, Ron, won five rings with the Bulls. His mom, Maria, was a baller in college and coached him at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J. He’s highest player drafted in Rutgers men’s basketball history.

3. Philadelphia 76ers, VJ Edgecombe, 6-5, Baylor

Comment: The Sixers missed the postseason for the first time since 2017 this season. Edgecombe is a hard worker and a leader. His athleticism is unmatched and the islands of the Bahamas must be proud. He prepped at Blue Star Media Elite 25 Long Island Lutheran in Brookhaven, N.Y. The last player drafted from the Bahamas was Buddy Hield.

4. Charlotte Hornets, Kon Knueppel, 6-6, Duke

Comment: Kon was a teammate of Flagg at Duke, which advanced to the Final Four in April. He’s an all-around player and plays with intensity. He’s a elite shooter from the 3-point range but count out his defense. Also, his playmaking and leadership skills are special for this wing from Milwaukee.

5. Utah Jazz, Ace Bailey, 6-8, Rutgers

Comment: The Jazz needed a cornerstone young player and Bailey is pick. He’s a wing player and did not work out for any teams. Regardless, the Jazz needed to nail down this pick because the last two have not panned out. He has a high-ceiling with an All-Star future. The 7-foot wingspan is another plus. The second player from the Scarlet Knights chosen in the top-5, joining Harper.

6. Washington Wizards, Trey Johnson, 6-5, Texas

Comment: Some say he is the best pure shooter in the draft. The Wizards were one of the worst teams in the league in offensive categories. Finally, they have a scorer! Trey is a combo guard with great ball-handling skills and court sense. He’s a gym rat and isn’t afraid to break a sweat. The Wizards are a young team and have missed the last four playoffs.

7. New Orleans Pelicans, Jeremiah Fears, 6-3, Oklahoma

Comment: The Pels have plenty of questions but with Joe Dumars running their draft, the “fear not.” Jeremiah is a special player, according to several NBA insiders. He combines size, speed and top-notch shooting. That includes the ability to create off the bounce and get to the rim. He’s 85% from the free throw line.

8. Brooklyn Nets, Egor Demin, 6-10, BYU

Comment: This is the first of five first round picks for the Nets—unless there’s a trade. He’s from Moscow and played in Spain prior to signing with the Y. He has good size, elite passing and is a great pick-and-roll player. Despite his size, he’s perimeter point guard of sorts and has worked hard to develop his jumper. Obviously, it’s paid off. Fourth BYU player taken in the top-10. High basketball IQ.

9. Toronto Raptors, Collin Murray-Boyles, 6-6, South Carolina

Comment: He’ll bring toughness, playmaking skills and top-notch defense to North of the Border. Murray will bring a defensive mentality, which is needed in Toronto. He is a big-time rim protector and has elite hands.

10. Phoenix Suns, Khaman Maluach, 7-1, Duke

Comment: The Suns needed to get this one right after obtaining in a trade earlier this week. Well, the 18-year-old from South Sudan via Duke is off to the Valley of the Sun. The Suns needed a true center with a defensive edge but they were one of the worst in the league. He plays with an intensity and his nearly 7-7 wingspan is going to protect the rim and clear rebounds. Duke had three players taken in the top-10 for the first time since 2019. Simply put: A defensive stopper.

11. Portland Trail Blazers, Cedric Coward, 6-5, Washington State

Comment: He started his career at a D3 school (Willamette) in Oregon. Coward then transfers to Eastern Washington and eventually Washington State. He was undervalued and undersized. Swiss Army knife and jack-of-all-trades. Has good size and body and shot 38% from beyond the arc. He’s been traded to the Grizzlies to complete a deal.

12. Chicago Bulls, Noa Essengue, 6-10, France

Comment: The 18-year-old Essengue played professionally in Germany, where he averaged 11 points in 23 minutes. He needs to fill out but is a future player. He brings energy and defense along with adept passing. The French players are trending and playing with confidence.

13. Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento), Derik Queen, 6-10, Maryland

Comment: Queen was a high school teammate of Flagg at Montverde Academy in Florida. He’s a reliable scorer and hit a game-winning shot, propelling the Terps into the Sweet 16. Queen posted 15 double-doubles, the most by a freshman in 2024-25. The Baltimore native is lighter on his feet after dropping 20 pounds. Proposed trade to the Pelicans.

14. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta), Carter Bryant, 6-6, Arizona

Comment: He can defend multiple positions and gives multiple effort. He came off the bench for the Wildcats. Carter will eventually start because of his defensive prowess but his offensive game needs polish.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder, Thomas Sorber, 6-9, Georgetown

Comment: Sorber is the first ever Georgetown freshman to go in the first round. He had season-ending foot surgery in February. Great foot work and dominates the paint. He’s from Philadelphia and is tough as nails. So will his 7-6 wingspan. Good fit down the road for the reigning World Champions.

16. Memphis Grizzlies, Yan Hansen, 7-1, China

Comment: He’s 7-1, 253 pounds and turns 20 years old this week. He played for the U19 Chinese National Team. This pick is headed to the Portland Trailblazers. This might be a biggest surprise of the draft. Hansen is the first Chinese player taken in the first since 2007.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves, Joan Beringer, 6-11, France

Comment: He played professionally this year in Slovenia. He’s a project center and is a shot blocker and rim protector. This falls in line with the theme of the draft with NBA teams going for bigs. His long strides will cover a lot of hardwood.

18. Washington Mystics, Walter Clayton Jr., 6-4, Florida

Comment: Clayton was traded to the Jazz. He’s a big-time player and one of the best shooters in the draft. He big shot after big shot in leading the Florida Gators to the National Championship. Clayton is a knockdown shooter. He played for Rick Pitino at Iona before transferring to the Gators. Clutch player who isn’t afraid to take the big shot when it counts. He set the Florida season scoring record. Great elevation on his shot.

19. Brooklyn Nets, Nolan Traoré, 6-3, France

Comment: Slotted as a point guard and scored 12 points and shot 38% from 3-point range in the French League. He was thought to be a lottery pick but fell to the Nets. He will be a developmental guard with speed and quickness. Expectational passer and can orchestrate the offense. He’s the third Frenchman taken in the first round.

20. Miami Heat, Kasparas Jakuscionis, 6-5, Illinois

Comment: This pick is from the mind of the great Pat Riley. He’s a 6-5 guard and played at FC Barcelona before heading to the Illini. His international path to the game started in Vilnius, Lithuania. Great playmaking skills and can create his own shot. Averaged 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists as a freshman.

21. Utah Jazz, Will Riley, 6-8, Illinois

Comment: This pick is headed to Washington. Averaged 12 points and 4 points for the Illini. He’s 6-8 and the Wiz are betting on this Canadian’s future. Will need to add weight to his wiry frame. He plays on and off the ball and possesses a high basketball IQ. He was the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.

22. Atlanta Hawks, Drake Powell, 6-5, North Carolina

Comment: He’s energetic and a defense-first player. Needs to develop a shot as a wing. He has a 7-foot wingspan. Quick hands. Some thought he’d drop to the second round. Powell was traded to the Nets.

23. New Orleans Pelicans, Asa Newell, 6-9, Georgia

Comment: The Hawks will get this pick and Sorber is off to the Pels. Newell was high school teammates with Flagg and Queen. Has a great motor with his size and energy. Spaces the floor with his 3-point shot. Looks like a stretch-4 or 5. He’s a versatile and that’s appealing to NBA GMs. Newell is staying instate with the Hawks.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder, Nique Clifford, 6-5, Colorado State

Comment: Clifford will be traded to Sacramento. A catch and shoot guy. He was a fifth-year player. Lots of savvy and experience at 23 years old. He can score at all three levels. Known for his work ethic. Mountain West Conference Tournament MVP. Averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

25. Orlando Magic, Jase Richardson, 6-1, Michigan State

Comment: Son of NBAer Jason Richardson. Energetic and team-first player. Shot 50% from the floor and 40% from downtown and averaged 16 points for coach Tom Izzo as a freshman. Three level scorer and attacks the rim. Jase adds backcourt depth to a team that is trending upward.

26. Brooklyn Nets, Ben Saraf, 6-6, Israel

Comment: Every pick matters for the Nets because they are off a miserable season. More international intrigue with a third foreigner in this draft. Played in Germany, averaging 12 points and 4 assists this season. He’s a combo guard.

27. Brooklyn Nets, Danny Wolf, 6-11, Michigan

Comment: The second of back-to back picks for the Nets and finally they select an American. He can operate on the perimeter and with a serious handle. Can shoot the 3. Started out at Yale before transferring to the Wolverines. A swingman with great upside. He’s a 4 or 5.

28. Boston Celtics, Hugo Gonzalez, 6-6, Spain

Comment: He’s an energy-based young wing. Won’t play much this year but a player for the future. Has defensive versatility.

29. Phoenix Suns, Liam McNeeley, 6-7, Connecticut

Comment: He’s headed to Charlotte. Great wing player with a sweet stroke. Projected to go earlier but dipped to the end of the first round. Plays with fire and intensity. He will help resurrect Charlotte’s long-range game. Grew up a Mavs fan and idolized Dirk Nowitzki in the Dallas area. Fourth player from Montverde Academy in Florida taken in the first round.

30. Los Angeles Clippers, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, 6-11, Penn State

Comment: The final pick of the night is headed to Southern California and a veteran club that has qualified for the playoffs for the last 14 years. Niederhauser is a shot blocker and led the Big Ten in that category. Played two years at Northern Illinois. Born in Switzerland and played professionally in Germany. He’s 6-11, 243 pounds. Great standing reach and will protect the rim. Will be utilized in the low post. His stock rose throughout the draft process. Another big man from the Big Ten.