Cooper Flagg Tops ESPN's 2025 NBA Draft Big Board After Declaring Following Duke Run

After declaring for the 2025 NBA draft earlier this week, Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg is expected to be the league's next big thing.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo released their updated draft big board, and Flagg maintained his position in the No. 1 spot.

"Flagg had a spectacular season, improbably exceeding every expectation placed on him in the preseason, creating zero questions around whom the No. 1 pick will be on draft night," Givony stated. "Just the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Award as the most outstanding player in college basketball, Flagg brought exceptional competitiveness and defensive versatility while impacting the game in every facet."

Flagg started all 37 of his appearances for Duke and averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on his way to being named National Player of the Year. The Blue Devils went 35-4 and lost to Houston in the Final Four.

Jonathan Wasserman's latest lottery simulation for B/R saw the Charlotte Hornets earn the rights to the No. 1 overall pick and select Flagg. Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecombe came off the board at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, followed by Ace Bailey at No. 4.

All signs point to Flagg being a game-changer at the next level, and he has just a few months before he gets to hear his name called on draft night on June 25.