The latest NBA Mock Draft is turning heads, and Duke basketball fans have every reason to be excited.
In CBS Sports analyst Kyle Boone’s most recent mock draft, the Blue Devils dominate the early selections with three of their standout freshmen — Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel — all projected to be chosen in the top six picks of the 2025 NBA Draft.
That level of representation puts Duke firmly in the spotlight and solidifies their reputation as the nation’s premier pipeline to NBA success.
Cooper Flagg Headlines the 2025 NBA Mock Draft
There’s no debate over who the top pick will be if the draft were held today. Cooper Flagg, the high-flying forward and defensive phenom, is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class.
Flagg has been a game-changer all season long at Duke, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. His athleticism, court vision, and intensity make him an ideal franchise cornerstone. And the teams most likely to land him — the Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards — all have a 14% shot at securing the No. 1 pick when the NBA Draft Lottery takes place this May in Chicago.
For any of those rebuilding franchises, Flagg would be more than just a top pick — he’d be a culture-altering star.
Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel Raise Duke’s Stock
Flagg isn’t the only Duke freshman drawing NBA interest. The NBA Mock Draft projects that 7-foot-2 center Khaman Maluach will also be taken early in the draft.
A native of South Sudan, Maluach has wowed scouts with his rim protection and improving offensive skills. His combination of size and agility is rare, and several lottery-bound teams are in need of an anchor in the paint. In Boone’s mock draft, Maluach is projected to go within the top five, adding more firepower to Duke’s impressive NBA track record.
Meanwhile, Kon Knueppel, known for his sharpshooting and high basketball IQ, is slotted to be taken shortly after Maluach. The versatile wing player has been praised for his maturity and scoring instincts. His ability to stretch the floor and play multiple positions has elevated his draft stock into the top six.
Together, these three players represent a generational haul for the Blue Devils — and a dream scenario for Duke fans.
A Draft That Can Reshape the League
This year’s NBA Mock Draft isn’t just about individual prospects — it’s about opportunity. Several teams are in a position to dramatically reshape their rosters this summer thanks to an abundance of picks.
Take the Brooklyn Nets, for example. As things currently stand, they hold four first-round selections, giving them incredible flexibility. Whether they decide to build through the draft or use those picks as trade assets, Brooklyn is positioned to make a major splash.
And they’re not alone. Playoff teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic also hold multiple first-rounders, which could help them bridge the gap between promising young cores and legitimate title contention.
Star Power and Depth Set This Class Apart
The 2025 NBA Draft class is already being viewed as stronger at the top than last year’s group, and there’s deep value to be found throughout the first and even into the second round.
Scouts and executives are praising this class for its combination of star talent and depth. Unlike some previous years, where the top few picks overshadowed the rest of the draft, 2025 features several players with All-Star potential even outside the top 10.
This is a particularly exciting development for teams with late-round picks or multiple second-rounders. For franchises looking to round out their bench with high-upside prospects, the talent pool in this year’s class runs deep.
Still Time for Things to Change
It’s important to remember that the draft landscape is fluid. Between now and the final withdrawal deadline, players will continue to test the waters, participate in the NBA Draft Combine, and potentially move up or down draft boards.
Still, as of now, this mock draft reflects a strong consensus among scouts and analysts: Duke’s trio of freshmen are legitimate top-tier prospects, and the 2025 class is one of the most exciting in recent memory.
What It Means for Duke and the NBA
For Duke basketball, the presence of three top-six picks in a single draft further solidifies its status as a recruiting powerhouse. Head coach Jon Scheyer has done an exceptional job of attracting elite talent and developing it into NBA-ready players.
For the NBA, it means a fresh infusion of exciting young stars. Flagg, Maluach, and Knueppel each bring a different skill set to the table — athleticism, defense, shooting — and their arrival could shift the balance of power for several teams across the league.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NBA Mock Draft is shaping up to be one of the most impactful in years. With franchise-changing talents like Cooper Flagg leading the way, and depth stretching well beyond the lottery, teams will have the opportunity to dramatically improve this summer.
For fans, it means excitement, hope, and plenty of speculation leading up to draft night. And for Duke, it’s a moment to celebrate what could go down as one of the most successful freshman classes in college basketball history.