Cooper Flagg Shares NBA Draft Day Feelings with TODAY
As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, highly anticipated prospect Cooper Flagg is opening up about the whirlwind of emotions surrounding his transition from college phenom to potential professional star. The 18-year-old forward, widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick, recently sat down with TODAY’s Craig Melvin to discuss what he’s most looking forward to on the big day.
Flagg, who spent his freshman year dominating for the Duke Blue Devils, spoke candidly with Melvin ahead of the draft ceremony in New York City. A central theme of their conversation was the human element of the draft experience – the dreams, the nerves, and the impact on family.
Sharing the Moment with Loved Ones
When asked what he’s most anticipating about draft day, Flagg’s answer centered on the people closest to him. He emphasized the excitement of “just sharing this moment with my family” and friends.
Describing the milestone as a “dream come true” not just for himself but for his entire support system, Flagg shared that going through the experience with his loved ones will be a “very surreal and just such a good feeling.”
Predicting Tears of Joy on Draft Night
The conversation also touched upon the potential emotional reactions when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver calls his name. Flagg had some predictions for his family.
“I know my mom’s going to be bawling her eyes out whenever my name gets called,” he shared, adding that he expects his oldest brother will likely cry as well. As for himself, Flagg admitted he’s considered the possibility and believes he “probably will end up crying” too, confirming they would be “tears of joy.”
The Road to the NBA Draft
Flagg’s projected status as the top pick comes after a standout freshman season at Duke, which concluded with the team reaching the Final Four of the NCAA men’s tournament in April.
Adding intrigue to the 2025 Draft is the fact that the Dallas Mavericks secured the first overall pick despite having just a 1.8% chance in the NBA Draft Lottery held on May 12th. The Mavericks will have the final say in selecting the player to kick off the draft proceedings.
The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 25th, airing live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN app. The second round will follow on Thursday, June 26th, also on ESPN and the ESPN app at 8 p.m. ET. Flagg is among the top prospects invited to attend the event in person and watch from the green room.
