2025 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Loaded class must compel Raptors to tank this season

No. 1: Cooper Flagg, Forward, Duke

Great NBA prospects come from places like California, Texas, Florida or the D.C. area. They don't usually come from Maine, but the 6'9" Cooper Flagg has been dominating the high school basketball scene for years, including leading an AAU team filled with just fellow Maine players to significant success against other All-Star groups.

Flagg can seemingly do it all, a point forward who can score but is comfortable filling in every other role on a basketball court. He seems to be just as happy with 6 points on 4 shots if he contributed 15 rebounds, 6 blocks, 8 assists and his team won. Most elite high school prospects want to show they can score the basketball, and Flagg can certainly do that, but he's an unselfish player who loves to build up his teammates and make the right basketball play.

There are few players his size who seem to understand the game on an intrinsic level, and it helps Flagg excel on both ends of the court. On defense he moves his feet well and can defend on the perimeter and rack up blocked shots on the interior. He is an excellent rebounder and loves to push in transition. On offense he's an elite passer and can finish well inside, and while he's not a sniper his shot looks like it will develop into a weapon at the next level.

Flagg committed to Duke and will join a long legacy of combo forwards to stop in Durham, NC on their way to the NBA. From NBA champion Jayson Tatum to Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero that pipeline is strong. That's a lofty group of players to live up to, but standing at this point in the process, Flagg is the most impressive of them all. He has a long ways to go to reach the career success of Tatum, but he's a generational prospect and could fit on any team in the league.