The NBA will begin welcoming its new rookie class with the start of the 2025 draft tonight.
The Dallas Mavericks bucked huge odds to get the first pick, with only a 1.8% chance of winning the draft lottery. They’ll get the first chance to take Cooper Flagg, the freshman who led Duke to the Final Four in his lone college season — and the consensus player of the year.
Here's the latest:
Scouting report on Johnson
Southeastern Conference’s scoring leader (19.9) who also led all Division I freshmen. Broke Kevin Durant’s freshman Longhorns record with 39 points against Arkansas. Shot 39.7% on 3-pointers with 12 games of at least four 3s. Shot 87.1% on free throws.
Needs strength on slender frame.
Turned 19 in March.
Washington goes guard at No. 6, takes Tre Johnson
The Wizards were going to go guard at No. 6 and Texas’ Tre Johnson was the pick.
He earned it, averaging nearly 20 points in his lone college season and his shooting skill is something Washington desperately needs as part of its rebuild.
Ace Bailey says he’s ready to go to Utah
Asked by ESPN on the draft broadcast about his decisions to not interview or work out for teams, Ace Bailey simply said he let his team maintain things in the outside world.
“I just focus on the basketball portion,” Bailey said.
Duke and Rutgers each produce two top-5 picks -- a rare feat
Duke and Rutgers became the 16th and 17th teams to produce two top-five picks in the same draft. Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel of the Blue Devils went No. 1 and No. 4, and Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey of the Scarlet Knights went No. 2 and No. 5. This is the first time two schools have pulled this off in the same year.
The last school to do it before this year was Duke in 2019, when Zion Williamson went No. 1 and RJ Barrett went No. 3. Duke also had No. 2 pick Jay Williams and No. 3 selection Mike Dunleavy in 2002.
Only North Carolina (four times) has pulled off this feat more than Duke.
The early draft MVP: The moms
Shoutout, Kelly Flagg. You too, Bendra Rolle. And all the other moms, too.
They’ve been the real stars of the show at the NBA draft.
“Bimini to the world,” Rolle said after her son, VJ Edgecombe, went No. 3 to Philadelphia and capped the family’s journey from the Bahamas to the NBA.
Kelly Flagg was a great player, and it’s evidently the source for some debate if her No. 1-pick son Cooper Flagg beat her the last time they played. The answer, for now: The game has been suspended. It’s just a long time-out, she said with a smile.
Scouting report on Bailey
Versatile, athletic shotmaker with midrange and stepback skills. Streaky shooter had five January games with at least four 3s for defense-stretching potential, yet also notable skids at the foul line and behind the arc.
Last season’s second-ranked recruit couldn’t lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Dylan Harper.
Turns 19 in August.
Ace Bailey falls to No. 5, goes to Utah
Ace Bailey greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected fifth by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The best player available at No. 5 was Ace Bailey, and the Utah Jazz didn’t miss a chance to take him there.
Bailey’s predraft journey was interesting, with him not working out or interviewing with teams. Utah was clearly not deterred.
Knueppel says Duke prepared him for NBA
Kon Knueppel says the pressure cooker of playing at Duke prepared him -- and the other Duke prospects -- for what comes next in the NBA.
“There’s a big spotlight at Duke. Us freshmen didn’t shy away from that,” he said.
Scouting report on Knueppel
Efficient wing scorer. Made 40.6% on 3-pointers. Ranked in Synergy’s 98th percentile on spot-up shooting (52.9%). Ranked sixth nationally at the foul line (91.4%). Had 10 games with at least four assists, indicating potential as secondary playmaker. ACC Tournament MVP. Lacks elite athleticism.
No. 4: Duke sharpshooter Kon Knueppel to Charlotte
Kon Knueppel poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected fourth by the Charlotte Hornets In the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The Charlotte Hornets didn’t look far for the No. 4 pick, grabbing Duke sharpshooter Kon Knueppel and giving the Blue Devils two of the top four selections.
Edgecombe could be in a great Philly situation
The Philadelphia 76ers weren’t supposed to be that bad last season. Everybody got hurt, including Joel Embiid.
If healthy, the 76ers could contend again in the Eastern Conference this coming season. Edgecombe could be a huge add to a solid mix featuring Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and more in Philly.
He grew up in the Bahamas. And now, he’s a guaranteed millionaire.
“We came from nothing. We’re truly blessed just to be in this position,” Edgecombe said.
Scouting report on Edgecombe
Explosive athleticism stands out at both ends. Above-the-rim finisher who creates highlight-reel moments. Freshman ranked among combine leaders in max vertical leap (38.5).
Must improve outside shooting consistency (34%), but had seven games with at least three made 3s. Had 11 games with three-plus steals.
No. 3: VJ Edgecombe to the 76ers
Let the intrigue begin. The Philadelphia 76ers took Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick.
It was well-known that Cooper Flagg was going No. 1 and Dylan Harper going No. 2. But No. 3 was somewhat of a mystery, until Philly actually made the pick.
Dylan Harper feeling all the emotions
Dylan Harper says he’s going through all the feelings about joining San Antonio and playing with Victor Wembanyama.
“I’m feeling everything. All the emotions, mixed in one bucket,” Harper said.
Ron Harper, the former NBA standout and Dylan Harper’s father, had tears in his eyes as his son spoke.
Scouting report on Harper
Freshman lefty who thrived as scorer (19.4) and lead ballhandler with two-way potential.
Notably scored 36 points against Notre Dame, then 37 a day later against then-No. 9 Alabama in November. Averaged 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals.
Son of former NBA guard Ron Harper. Couldn’t lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Ace Bailey.
Turned 19 in March.
The No. 2 pick: Dylan Harper to the Spurs
Dylan Harper poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected second by the San Antonio Spurs In the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Rutgers guard Dylan Harper has gone to the San Antonio Spurs at No. 2, putting him in position to play with Victor Wembanyama going forward and become the latest piece of a rebuild by the five-time world champions.
Wembanyama won rookie of the year in 2024, and Spurs guard Stephon Castle won it this past season.
Cooper Flagg says ‘it’s a dream come true’
Cooper Flagg, with his new Dallas Mavericks hat on, just gave his first interview as part of the ESPN broadcast.
“Feeling amazing. It’s a dream come true, to be honest,” the new No. 1 pick said.
Scouting report on Fla
gg
Only the fourth freshman named Associated Press men’s national player of the year. Led Final Four team in scoring (19.2), rebounding (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.4). Shot 38.5% on 3-pointers and 84% on free throws.
Ranked in 85th percentile or better in converting as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls, post-ups and transition, according to Synergy’s analytics rankings.
Set Atlantic Coast Conference freshman record with 42 points against Notre Dame.
Turns 19 in December
The No. 1 pick: It’s Duke’s Cooper Flagg
To no surprise, Duke’s Cooper Flagg is the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.
It’s the third time a Duke player has gone No. 1 in the last seven years, after Zion Williamson in 2019 and Paolo Banchero in 2022.
NIL money means fewer early entrants in the NBA draft
This year’s draft starts with the lowest number of prospects in at least 10 years.
It’s been four years since college athletes were permitted to profit off the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL), opening the door for athlete compensation that was once forbidden by NCAA rules.
It’s part of a seismic change that has rippled through college athletics, impacting the NBA: Players willing to “test the waters” in the draft before returning to school now have a lucrative option to consider against uncertain pro prospects.
And it shows in the numbers.
“With all the money that’s being thrown around in NIL, you’re having a lot less players put their names in,” Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said. “You’re having pretty good players pulling their names out.”
More about how NIL money is reshaping the NBA draft
The hat game and what it means
“With the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select ...”
That’s how NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will introduce the No. 10 pick in the draft, and then awkward hilarity will likely ensue.
If past form holds, the player will be given a Rockets cap to wear for his onstage ceremony. Thing is, the guy may never play for the Rockets.
This pick will be traded to Phoenix in the Kevin Durant deal when it can be finalized in a couple weeks. Everyone knows it, but until then, it’s still officially Houston’s pick. So, for pretend purposes, the player will be on stage as a member of the Rockets.
It’s weird, for sure. But at least that player, forever and ever, will be able to say that he got traded for Durant. That’s a neat perk.
The 13th pick, not so unlucky
The common superstition that 13 is an unlucky number doesn’t seem to ring true in NBA drafts.
Consider the last 15 years: On average, rookies taken No. 1 average 16.9 points per game, while No. 2 picks average 12.9, No. 3 picks average 12.1 and No. 4 picks average 11.0 points.
Next up: No. 13 picks, at 9.8 per game.
Some of those 13th picks over that span: Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, Tyler Herro, Zach LaVine, Kelly Olynyk and Gradey Dick. Not unlucky whatsoever.
Welcome to Flagg Day
“Cooper Flagg Day,” to be specific, if you live in Maine. That’s what Gov. Janet Mills proclaimed June 25, 2025, the day Flagg is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.
“Cooper Flagg’s extraordinary talent and dedication to basketball has earned him national acclaim as perhaps the most promising player of his generation. He is a source of tremendous pride for Maine,” Mills said in a statement posted on New Balance’s website. The Maine-based apparel company has a partnership with Flagg.
“I have proclaimed today as Cooper Flagg Day, so all the people of Maine can celebrate his achievement, hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship, which should inspire youth across our state to pursue their dreams with Cooper’s signature determination.”
Flagg is a native of Newport, Maine, and as a freshman in 2022 led Nokomis High School to its first state basketball championship, earning state player of the year honors.
NBA draft’s man of mystery Ace Bailey
Rutgers forward Ace Bailey has been a bit of a man of mystery with the 18-year-old not holding a public workout for any team ahead of the NBA draft.
It’s a strategy that has been called out by critics from current NBA players to analysts.
Bailey insists just before the NBA draft that he does not have a preferred destination or favorite team. He plans on bringing high energy and promises whoever selects him will be getting a responsible, mature player with high energy no matter the team’s record.
“I just leave it up to God,” Bailey said. “All I can do is play basketball. Control what I can control.”
That’s about what he told reporters Tuesday during some of the pre-draft festivities.
Bailey certainly won’t be missed at Barclays Center when his name is called. He is wearing a shirt in his favorite color, red, with a black jacket bedazzled with black jewels to match his shoes. Like many other draft prospects, the inside of his jacket is lined with photos.
Oklahoma point guard stylin’ and profilin’ in Sooners’ red
Point guard Jeremiah Fears cannot be missed at the NBA draft, not in an outfit representing the University of Oklahoma with his red pants and vest and a Gucci patterned jacket.
“I wanted to show them love on a stage like this,” Fears said of his look.
He also wore a pair of chains featuring his last name big and easy to read. Fears said someone gave him a “0” jewelry piece, so he added that to his look for draft night.
Fears finished the look with all-black Gucci shoes. Why? “It just kind of matches my outfit.”
Calm before the storm
There was a calm in the arena a few hours before the draft started.
The 24 tables next to the stage had golden basketballs on them waiting for the draftees and their families and friends. Each table has seven chairs, so draftees have to choose carefully who joins them for their big moment.
The league moved the stage to the other side of the court this year which seemed to open up more space on the floor.
In the background, there is a lounge area and a mural listing all the NBA teams with a table holding jars of candy.
The Mavs don’t have another draft pick beyond the No. 1 overall choice
The Dallas team, which won the lottery despite just a 1.8% chance to do so, is expected to take former Duke star Cooper Flagg.
A dearth of picks is nothing new for Mavs general manager Nico Harrison. He also has a history of waiting around to add picks during the draft.
Harrison’s widely panned decision to trade beloved superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles for Anthony Davis has shaken the confidence of his fan base. That’s probably putting it mildly.
The Mavs didn’t have a pick for Harrison’s first draft in 2021. They almost went through the next draft without a selection before Dallas traded into the second round to get Jaden Hardy. He has been in and out of the rotation in three seasons with the Mavs.
If Harrison’s history is any indication, don’t be surprised if the Mavs make a move to add picks beyond the No. 1 selection.
Flagg has a chance to be the next generational talent after Dallas jettisoned Doncic
Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts likes to say he has lived three lifetimes in the six months since he took the job. It’s time for the next big step in that third life.
The Mavs are set to make Cooper Flagg the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft after overcoming a 1.8% chance to win the lottery.
The first life for Rick Welts was learning a new city after the longtime NBA executive came out of retirement in December following stints with the NBA and in the front offices in Phoenix and Golden State.
The second life was the fallout from the reviled Luka Doncic trade in February. The Mavs were still reeling from that deal when the lottery shocker hit.
The prospect of the 18-year-old former Duke star joining Anthony Davis and, eventually, fellow Duke-ex Kyrie Irving has the Mavs feeling almost giddy.
Draft night fashion meets blistering heat
NBA draft night is all about getting dressed up, with players donning their finest suits for the walk on stage after their name is called.
The weather in New York is better suited for shorts and flip-flops.
Temperatures soared to 100 degrees (38 Celsius) in the city Tuesday, and little relief is expected Wednesday, making players glad that most of their time would be spent indoors.
But even just a few minutes felt like too much.
“First day I got here, I was like ‘goddamn.’ I was burning up,” said South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who wore a jacket and slacks Tuesday.
Still, there was no chance he would slip into something more comfortable Wednesday.
“I have no choice but to stick with what I got,” he said. “It’s too late to switch up now. Way too late.”
The Atlantic Coast Conference is positioned to have the No. 1 pick in both the NFL and NBA draft
Miami quarterback Cam Ward went No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans in April. Now, with Duke’s Cooper Flagg set to be the top NBA pick, it could mark only the sixth time a league had both top picks in the same year — and only the second time in two decades.
The last time came in 2020, with LSU quarterback Joe Burrow followed by Georgia guard Anthony Edwards giving that distinction to the Southeastern Conference. Before that, it came in 2005 with the Mountain West and a pair of Utah players, quarterback Alex Smith followed by center Andrew Bogut.
The other times: the Big Ten in 1994 (Ohio State defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, Purdue forward Glenn Robinson); the Big Ten in 1979 (Ohio State linebacker Tom Cousineau and Michigan State point guard Magic Johnson); and the Pac-8 in 1969 (USC running back O.J. Simpson and UCLA big man Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).
Edgecombe’s decked out in black
VJ Edgecombe from Baylor is dressed for business at the NBA draft decked out in all black waiting to hear his name called.
The 6-foot-4, 193-pound Edgecombe is wearing a black suit with a subtle pattern with a black shirt and tie. The native of Bimini, Bahamas, has a nod to the islands with colors of the flag featured on each of his suit sleeves.
Edgecombe says his brother designed the suit, which features photos of family on the lining to bring them to the big stage at the Barclays Center.
The big men are set to take a backseat
They fall behind the forwards, led by projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, and a deep set of guards.
Freshmen Khaman Maluach of Duke and Derik Queen of Maryland are the top two bigs in the draft, positioned to be lottery prospects. There’s also intriguing size and skillsets with two other freshmen in Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber and Georgia’s Asa Newell.
The list includes St. Joseph’s Rasheer Fleming, Michigan’s Danny Wolf, Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud and French prospect Joan Beringer as first-round candidates.
There’s a deep well of high-end backcourt talent
Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper is the top prospect among the guards, but Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, Texas’ Tre Johnson, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears and Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis are all set to be lottery picks.
The list includes BYU freshman playmaker Egor Demin, Michigan State combo guard Jase Richardson, and international prospects in Nolan Traoré and Ben Saraf.
How the careers of No. 1 NBA draft picks have fared
The No. 1 overall pick faces hopes of long-term stardom. Over the past 40 years, some have lived up to those expectations, while others have fallen short.
See the career scoring, accolades and accomplishments for top picks since 1985 -- with six league MVPs among them.
Draft order for first and second rounds
FIRST ROUND:
1. Dallas Mavericks
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Charlotte Hornets
5. Utah Jazz
6. Washington Wizards
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Brooklyn Nets
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Houston Rockets (from Phoenix via Brooklyn; reported traded to Phoenix)
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento)
14. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta)
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami via the LA Clippers)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (from Orlando)
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit via New York, Oklahoma City and Houston)
18. Washington Wizards (from Memphis)
19. Brooklyn Nets (from Milwaukee via New York, Detroit, Portland and New Orleans)
20. Miami Heat (from Golden State)
21. Utah Jazz (from Minnesota)
22. Atlanta Hawks (from the L.A. Lakers via New Orleans)
23. New Orleans Pelicans (from Indiana)
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (from the L.A. Clippers)
25. Orlando Magic (from Denver)
26. Brooklyn Nets (from New York)
27. Brooklyn Nets (from Houston)
28. Boston Celtics
29. Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland via Utah)
30. L.A. Clippers (from Oklahoma City)
SECOND ROUND:
31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah)
32. Boston Celtics (via Washington)
33. Charlotte Hornets
34. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans)
35. Philadelphia 76ers
36. Brooklyn Nets
37. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto)
38. San Antonio Spurs
39. Toronto Raptors (via Portland)
40. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix)
41. Golden State Warriors (via Miami)
42. Sacramento Kings (via Chicago)
43. Utah Jazz (via Dallas)
44. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta)
45. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento)
46. Orlando Magic
47. Milwaukee Bucks (via Detroit)
48. Memphis Grizzlies (via Golden State)
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee)
50. New York Knicks (via Memphis)
51. Los Angeles Clippers (via Minnesota)
52. Phoenix Suns (via Denver)
53. Utah Jazz (via Los Angeles Clippers)
54. Indiana Pacers
55. Los Angeles Lakers
56. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston)
57. Orlando Magic (via Boston)
58. Cleveland Cavaliers
59. Houston Rockets (via Oklahoma City)
Harper and Bailey are headliners despite Rutgers’ losing record
Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey are two of the headlining prospects in the NBA draft. It comes despite the fact that they couldn’t elevate Rutgers to a winning record even while teaming up as top one-and-done talents.
Harper is the top guard in the draft and a potential No. 2 overall pick for Wednesday’s first round. Bailey arrived in college ranked 1-2 behind Duke’s Cooper Flagg among top freshmen and is one of the top forwards.
Despite featuring an edge in high-end pro talent in almost every game, Rutgers finished just 15-17 and didn’t make the NCAA Tournament.
Bailey said the underwhelming season had come up “a couple times” in some pre-draft meetings with teams. Harper said “life ain’t gonna be perfect” but that he “would do it all over again” during the combine.
Cooper Flagg was the nation’s No. 1 recruit at 17, now he’s expected to be the No. 1 draft pick
Cooper Flagg arrived at Duke as the nation’s No. 1 recruit at 17 years old. Less than a year later, the Maine native is set to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft in a big week for the Blue Devils program.
The first round of the draft starts Wednesday, with the second round coming Thursday.
Flagg led the Blue Devils to their first Final Four under Jon Scheyer, the successor to retired Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski. He also became only the fourth freshman named Associated Press men’s national player of the year.
Duke will also have two other one-and-done lottery prospects in forward Kon Knueppel and big man Khaman Maluach. Throw in second-round prospects Tyrese Proctor and Sion James, and Duke could have all five starters drafted this week.
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The Associated Press
