The 2025 NBA Draft first round brought a lot of drama and, of course, Duke. Amid the chaos of Yang Hansen’s selection and the Brooklyn Nets ending up with five first-round picks, Duke continued its draft tradition. The Blue Devils had three first-round selections, officially bringing Duke’s all-time total to 59 first-rounders.
More than 30 of those picks have come since Jon Scheyer joined the program in 2013-14. This year, same as always, Blue Devils popped up across both rounds, keeping Duke’s NBA pipeline alive.
Cooper Flagg
Dallas Mavericks | 1st Overall
The Dallas Mavericks made the most obvious call of the night by drafting Cooper Flagg No. 1 overall. The Duke freshman from Maine was definitely getting drafted by the Mavericks from the moment they won the lottery. The Mavericks’ private workout just confirmed that further.
Cooper Flagg is one of the youngest to ever join the NBA pic.twitter.com/5HQ2eAx1XF
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 26, 2025
Flagg’s numbers are outrageous enough to be picked No.1 overall. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Flagg also made history as only the fourth freshman ever to win AP National Player of the Year. To add on, he also led Duke on a Final Four run, won the Wooden Awar,d and earned ACC All-Defensive Team honors.
Now, Flagg joins the legendary Duke list of No.1 picks. He stands alongside names like Art Heyman, Elton Brand, Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero. For the Mavs fandom that is still trying to recover from losing Luka Dončić, Flagg is a sign of relief.
Kon Knueppel
Charlotte Hornets | 4th Overall
The Hornets went full Duke with the fourth pick. They went with guard Kon Knueppel, and it feels like the perfect match. The Milwaukee native was consistent during Duke’s Final Four run. He put up 14.4 points, 4 rebounds, and some great three-point shooting.
Cooper Flagg’s reaction to Kon Knueppel getting drafted
From college teammates and roommates to top-4 picks in the NBA Draft! pic.twitter.com/PaitbPBn6H
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2025
With seven 20-point games and over 550 points on the year, Knueppel became one of only 15 in NCAA history to post 550 points, 100 assists and 80 threes in a single season. Now, he becomes the fifth Blue Devil ever drafted by the Hornets.
Khaman Maluach
Phoenix Suns | 10th Overall
With their lottery pick via the Rockets, the Phoenix Suns drafted the 7-foot-2 center Khaman Maluach. He has been a towering presence at Duke. Maluach made history as the highest-drafted player ever from NBA Academy Africa.
“It keeps me going to see other kids in Africa inspired by my story…”
– Khaman Maluach on his journey with NBA Africa Academy pic.twitter.com/g6rzxw9lQw
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 25, 2025
Maluach was born in South Sudan and raised in Uganda. The 18-year-old was already a story before draft night. He averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in just 21 minutes a game. Maluach anchored Duke’s defense all through the year and even earned the ACC All-Freshman honors.
If Maluach hadn’t been traded, he would have joined Erik Meek as the only two Duke players ever drafted by Houston.
Tyrese Proctor
Cleveland Cavaliers | 49th Overall
Finally, with the 49th pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers ended Tyrese Proctor’s wait. Despite falling deep into the second round, Proctor cannot be ignored. Over three seasons at Duke, he racked up more than 1,100 points. He was a 40.5% shooter from deep and had strong perimeter defense.
With the 49th pick for the 2025 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Tyrese Proctor. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/pPFc7QfUjX
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) June 27, 2025
Proctor has shown great mettle playing against Baylor with a 25-point game that included seven triples. The reason he perhaps fell so low in the draft is that Proctor occasionally forced shots. At 6-foot-5, Proctor has the length to hold his own at either guard spot but will need to bulk up to withstand the physicality of NBA wings.
