Former Duke Blue Devils standout Cooper Flagg is seen as a potential No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, especially following the Dallas Mavericks’ stunning win in the NBA Draft Lottery, despite their mere 1.8% odds of success.

What sets Flagg apart as a top choice? On the latest episode of “The Herd,” former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski shared his insights about the player.

“Cooper’s just unique,” Krzyzewski stated. “He’s incredibly strong. His legs are exceptionally powerful. With his athletic prowess and competitive spirit, he is a remarkable talent. He knows how to score effectively. While he’s a solid shooter, he’s working on becoming even better.”

Flagg finished his freshman run with the Blue Devils with averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, boasting shooting percentages of 48.1/38.5/84.0. His achievements include being named AP Player of the Year, winning the Wooden Award, and claiming the title of ACC Player of the Year.

Should he be selected first, Flagg would also make history as the sixth player from Duke to achieve this honor, joining the ranks of players like Art Heyman, Elton Brand, Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson, and Paolo Banchero.

Additionally, Flagg would become part of a revamped Mavericks roster, which is trying to recover from a tumultuous season marked by the trade of superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. The Mavericks finished last season in 10th place in the Western Conference, holding a 39-43 record. A fully healthy roster for the 2025-26 season could see a starting five of Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Flagg, Davis, and Daniel Gafford.

Krzyzewski concluded his coaching career in college basketball after the 2021-22 season, subsequently being succeeded by assistant Jon Scheyer. During Krzyzewski’s tenure, the Blue Devils reached the Final Four but faced a heart-wrenching loss against the Houston Cougars, squandering a six-point lead in the final minute. His legacy includes five national championships and the record for the most wins in NCAA history, with 1,202 victories - 1,129 of which were with Duke.