Cooper Flagg, Knueppel, Maluach Picked in Top 10 to Help Duke Tie NBA Draft Record
It's been a good night for the Duke Blue Devils.
The program had three players selected within the first 10 picks in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft. They join the 2019 Blue Devils and 2007 Florida Gators as the only groups to accomplish this feat.
Forward Cooper Flagg was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the No. 1 pick, forward Kon Knueppel went to the Charlotte Hornets with the fourth pick, while center Khaman Maluach was selected 10th by the Houston Rockets and re-routed to the Phoenix Suns.
Mauluach specifically showed plenty of emotion.
The 2019 Duke team saw Zion Williamson go first overall, R.J. Barrett go third overall and Cam Reddish go 10th overall. Florida's 2007 team had Al Horford go third overall, Corey Brewer go seventh overall and Joakim Noah go ninth overall.
The 2007 Gators had one more player go in the second round of the draft, while the 2019 Blue Devils had zero additional players drafted. The 2007 Florida team won the NCAA tournament, while the 2019 Blue Devils reached the Elite Eight and the 2025 team reached the Final Four.
Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 37 games, Kneuppel averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 39 games, while Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 39 games.
They will now all begin separate NBA careers and will look to make their alma mater proud.
