Exciting Cooper Flagg Announcement Made Ahead of NBA Draft
Exciting Cooper Flagg Announcement Made Ahead of NBA Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
It's all but a certainty that Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg will be the first player to hear his name called on June 25, when the NBA Draft begins and the Dallas Mavericks go on the clock to make their selection.
Advertisement
However, Flagg has been viewed as the consensus No. 1 pick since before he truly even played his first game in Durham, North Carolina, for the Blue Devils. Coming out of Newport, Maine, Flagg was — and still is — considered a generational talent, and even with the sky-high expectations, he's managed to exceed them.
This week, Flagg is in the midst of a private meeting with the Mavericks organization and is now just a week away from potentially joining forces with Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and fellow former Duke stars Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively.
To add to the excitement ahead of draft night, it was revealed Wednesday that Flagg is the latest cover athlete for "Sports Illustrated," donning New Balance gear — the first major brand deal he signed during his time at Duke.
Flagg led Duke to a stellar 35-4 season, capturing both the ACC regular season and conference tournament titles. He also helped guide the Blue Devils to the Final Four, where they were ultimately upset by the Houston Cougars following a second-half collapse.
Advertisement
Still, Flagg delivered a historic season. He swept the major national awards—winning the Wooden Award, Naismith Player of the Year, and earning both ACC Player and Rookie of the Year honors—while leading Duke in every major statistical category.
Cooper Flagg talks to the media at the NBA Draft CombineDavid Banks-Imagn Image
The former Montverde Academy star averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting 48.1% from the field and an impressive 38.5% from beyond the arc.
Now, he'll join a Mavericks team that's already built to compete—after Dallas shockingly landed the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery despite having just a 1.8% chance to do so.
Advertisement
Related: Jon Scheyer Sends Strong Message About Cooper Flagg Ahead of NBA Draft
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark Assigns Blame After Fever's Loss to Valkyries
Caitlin Clark Assigns Blame After Fever's Loss to Valkyries originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Caitlin Clark had a forgettable outing on Thrusday night as the Indiana Fever suffered a disappointing 88-77 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. Advertisement The Fever star was held to just 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting, to go along with seven rebounds, nine assists, a steal and, for just the second time in her WNBA career, zero three-pointers. Clark also committed a team-high six turnovers in this one, which is one of the main issues the 23-year-old emphasized during her postgame press conference. 'I think we get these leads, we get up 10, we get up 12, and I thought that's where we really grew versus [the Connecticut Sun], we really took a step forward and kept our foot on the gas and built out our lead and got it up to 20,' Clark said, via Chloe Peterson of IndyStar. 'I thought we were kind of in the phase of not (giving up those leads) anymore. And then we got our lead to 12 (against the Valkyries), and then we kind of go on a stretch of turning the ball over… We got to be able to grow in that area.' Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (left) blocks a shot by Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) with guard Tiffany Hayes (right). Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images As Clark said in her statement, it was Indiana's inability to take care of their lead that led to their downfall against Golden State. According to the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, this was brought about by the turnovers they committed, particularly during crucial stretches in the game. Advertisement The Fever entered the fourth quarter with a 59-55 lead, and it looked like they were primed to take their third straight win. The Valkyries, however, came out firing in the fourth, and ended up outscoring Indiana, 33-18, in the final frame. The silver lining here is that Clark and the Fever are well aware of the main issue that led to their loss on Thursday, which means that this is an area that they can focus on and improve at in their next games. Related: Indiana Fever Make Historic Announcement During Valkyries Game Related: Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham Turns Heads After Exciting Personal News Related: WNBA Makes Caitlin Clark Announcement After Fever-Sun Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
"I can't think of a better person to do it" - Scottie Pippen on Michael Jordan presenting him at his Hall of Fame induction
"I can't think of a better person to do it" - Scottie Pippen on Michael Jordan presenting him at his Hall of Fame induction originally appeared on Basketball Network. Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan's relationship has long been tumultuous. In recent years, both have taken public shots at each other, adding layers to a feud that's hard to ignore. But it wasn't always this fractured. Advertisement For instance, in 2010, the tone was strikingly different. Back then, Jordan inducted Pippen into the Hall of Fame, and the latter welcomed the honor wholeheartedly. The headline pairing Pip officially stepped away in 2008, four years removed from his last NBA game. Retirement had barely begun when the call came: the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame was waiting — an honor the Arkansas native said he never could have dreamed of. "It's not an accolade that you can just go out and achieve," explained Pippen, per "You have to impress people by the way you play the game. I tried to play the game the right way my whole career, played to win, and tried to be the best." Advertisement The 6'8" forward delivered on that promise throughout his career. But it was no secret he had help on the court — from one of the greatest to ever play the game. In 2010, following tradition, every Hall of Famer was introduced by a fellow legend — like Karl Malone, who was presented by New York Knicks great Willis Reed — making it only natural that Jordan, inducted the year before, would present Pippen. For Scottie, it was fitting. The moment felt like another shared milestone in a career defined by tandem greatness. "I can't think of a better person to do it," he remarked, per ESPN. "Michael is someone I shared my career with, accomplishing most of what I have accomplished thus far." Advertisement Related: "I don't think I should defend myself anymore, I'm done with that in my life" - Allen Iverson on why he's had enough trying to defend his public image Wholesome moment during Pip's enshrinement speech Mike and Scottie forged one of the NBA's most dominant duos, leading the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s. Their partnership extended beyond the NBA, shining on the original Dream Team that crushed the competition at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Their legacy wasn't just about rings or accolades — multiple All-Star appearances, All-Defensive honors, and spots among the league's 50 greatest players — but the bond they shared. Advertisement For Pippen, Jordan was more than a teammate. He was a "great teammate, teacher, and admirer." "I'm excited to have an opportunity to be the first person that he has presented into the Hall of Fame," the Arkansas native remarked. "I figure if anyone deserves to be on the stage with me, it's him." Ultimately, when Pippen took the stage to deliver his induction speech, he turned immediately to Jordan. "What an honor it is for me as a basketball player to have the all-time great presenting me here tonight," he said. "It was so valuable to me as a player to see someone who had the same desire, determination, passion, and love for the game." Advertisement "Who knew that number 23 would be here 23 years later presenting me into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. MJ, you have touched so many people's lives, but none like mine. Thank you for being the best teammate. I will always cherish that experience, and I will cherish our relationship forever. Thank you." Despite the ups and downs that would later strain their relationship, that moment remains a powerful reminder of the respect and connection the two Hall of Famers once shared. Related: "Michael, I love you, but I'm glad to see you go" - Scottie Pippen described getting Michael Jordan's locker in 1993 as his greatest promotion This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Zach Randolph denies giving DeMarre Carroll $10K for sneakers: "That's a little too much cap in your rap"
Zach Randolph denies giving DeMarre Carroll $10K for sneakers: "That's a little too much cap in your rap" originally appeared on Basketball Network. It's well-known that many NBA players lead lives of excess and luxury. With wealth flowing into their accounts at an astonishing pace, they often find themselves unsure of how to manage it all. Often, they spend it on luxurious houses, cars, and designer shoes. Advertisement According to NBA veteran DeMarre Carroll, this was the case with his former teammate on the Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph. If Carroll, a 6'6" forward who played 11 seasons in the league, is to be believed, Z-Bo gave him a wad of money to purchase a pair of all-white Air Force 1s — a staple in a hooper's wardrobe. Believing it was a test from the veteran who mentored him during his rookie season, DeMarre spent a significant amount on multiple pairs, estimating he had about $6,000 remaining. Later, he recounted how Z-Bo, impressed by his effort to fulfill the request, rewarded him with an additional $4,000, bringing his total to $10,000. Zach took time on "The Big Podcast with Shaq" to refute DeMarre's story, saying he would not want to toss around large amounts of money like that. A bad business move When DeMarre joined the NBA as Memphis' 27th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Zach was already making a hefty salary of $16.5 million per year. While he was not frugal, he emphasized that his former rook's story was an exaggerated fabrication. He sent Carroll on plenty of errands and tasks, but he never once handed out $10,000. Advertisement "Everybody asked me that, bro. Come on, man. What kind of business move is that?" Z-Bo said with a laugh. "DeMarre, please quit telling that lie. You my little bro. I love you, bro. But come on, man." Nike Air Force 1s, especially the white-on-whites, are a staple in the NBA. They're comfortable, stylish, and versatile enough to match any outfit. However, Randolph found it ridiculous that anyone would believe he would hand out six grand to buy one pair. "I'm going to give you $6,000 for some damn Air Force Ones? Come on, little bro. I want you to make your story sound good, but that's a little too much cap in your rap, man. God damn," Zach stated. Related: "I can't think of a better person to do it" - Scottie Pippen on Michael Jordan presenting him at his Hall of Fame induction Even Shaq was impressed when he heard the story The podcast host Shaq has had his fair share of extravagant spending throughout his career. From customizing cars to generously buying whatever strangers desired, he has indulged in a wide range of costly ventures. However, even O'Neal couldn't believe someone would spend that much on one pair of shoes. Advertisement "I heard that story, I was like, 'Damn, $10,000?' I only gave five. Only gave five!" Big Diesel chimed in. Zach understood what DeMarre was trying to do, but believes he went overboard. While he appreciated the effort to make a good impression, Zach couldn't help but refute such an outrageous claim. "Man had made a hell of a story up. I said, '$10,000?' I know he tried to make his big bro look good, but that's just a dummy move right there," Randolph stressed. Many NBA players do stupid things with the money they make in the league. Z-Bo, though, was a lot more responsible with his. Related: Marc Gasol names the post players who gave him hell as a rookie: "Z-Bo and Al were the two toughest guys I had to guard" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
