2025-06-26T07:15:11Z

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In a thrilling culmination of the college basketball season, Jared Flagg, a talented shooting guard and small forward, played a pivotal role in leading Duke University to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Final Four during the 2024-25 season. As a freshman, Flagg demonstrated remarkable skills on the court, averaging an impressive 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.

His outstanding performance throughout the season earned him prestigious accolades, including the coveted Wooden Award, which honors the most outstanding college basketball player each year. Additionally, Flagg was recognized as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Year, solidifying his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in the sport.

In a historic moment for the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, marking only the second time in franchise history that a player was chosen first overall. The Mavericks previously made headlines in 1981 when they selected Mark Aguirre. Flagg's selection represents the franchise's commitment to building a competitive team with fresh talent.

Following Flagg, the San Antonio Spurs made headlines by selecting Dylan Harper, a guard, with the second pick. At just 19, Harper comes from a basketball family; he is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and has an older brother, Ron Harper Jr., who is currently with the Detroit Pistons. Expressing his excitement about joining the Spurs, Harper stated, “I'm feeling everything - all the emotions mixed in one bucket. They’ve got a great young core over there. I'm just ready to get in there and make an impact any way I can with those guys.”

The Philadelphia 76ers further enriched their roster by selecting guard VJ Edgecombe with the third pick. A Bahamian native, Edgecombe showcased his talents at Baylor University, where he was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year after averaging 15 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Finally, the Charlotte Hornets utilized the fourth overall pick to bring in guard Kon Knueppel, adding further depth to their backcourt as they look to enhance their competitive edge in the upcoming season.