The hype around Cooper Flagg just keeps growing—and now, his mom is joining the conversation. After a record-breaking freshman season at Duke, Flagg officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, where he’s widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick.
A Historic Year at Duke
Flagg helped lead the Duke Blue Devils to a phenomenal 35-4 season, including an ACC Tournament title. Duke went into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed and reached the Final Four after knocking off powerhouse programs like Alabama, Arizona, Baylor, and Mount St. Mary’s.
It was a dream run, and Flagg was at the heart of it all.
Dominating From Day One
Coming into the season, expectations were sky-high. Cooper Flagg arrived at Duke as the top-ranked recruit in the 2024 class after a standout high school career at Montverde Academy. But even with the hype, he managed to exceed it.
In his freshman campaign, Flagg led Duke in every major stat category. He averaged:
- 19.2 points
- 7.5 rebounds
- 4.2 assists
- 1.4 steals
- 1.4 blocks per game
That all-around dominance earned him the Naismith Player of the Year and the prestigious Wooden Award, solidifying his status as one of the best college freshmen in recent memory.
From Montverde to the NBA
Before his time at Duke, Flagg starred at Montverde Academy, a prep basketball powerhouse that consistently produces top-tier NBA talent.
On Thursday, Montverde celebrated several of its alumni who declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, including Flagg, Derik Queen (Maryland), Liam McNeeley (UConn), and Asa Newell (Georgia).
“Class of 2024 to the league!” Montverde’s official social media account posted proudly.
A Mom’s Message
That post caught the attention of someone special—Cooper Flagg’s mom, Kelly Flagg. She responded to the announcement with a short but powerful message:
“Yes sir,” she posted, a nod of approval and pride as her son prepares for the next chapter in his basketball journey.
It was a simple response, but it reflected the excitement and support behind Flagg’s NBA journey.
What’s Next for Cooper Flagg?
Now that Flagg has officially declared, all eyes are on the NBA Draft, which takes place this June. The Philadelphia 76ers and other lottery teams are eagerly waiting to see where the ping-pong balls fall on May 12.
Should a team land the top pick, there’s little doubt who they’ll be selecting. Cooper Flagg is the consensus No. 1 overall prospect thanks to his elite two-way ability, leadership, and winning mentality.
With his high basketball IQ, defensive versatility, and scoring prowess, scouts see Flagg as a future franchise cornerstone. Some have even called him the safest bet in the draft—a player whose floor is an All-Star and whose ceiling is sky-high.
A Rising Class of Stars
While Cooper Flagg headlines the draft class, he’s far from the only name to watch. His fellow Montverde alumni—Queen, McNeeley, and Newell—have also turned heads this year and will be names to watch come draft night.
But Flagg’s combination of talent, polish, and leadership has made him stand out as the clear top option.
A Family and a Future
For the Flagg family, this moment is the culmination of years of work and sacrifice. And as Kelly Flagg’s message showed, they’re soaking it all in.
From dominating high school basketball to becoming a Duke legend in one year, and now preparing to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg’s journey is just getting started.