The Duke University forward is projected to be the No. 1 draft pick.
"It's a lot of emotions running through me. This is a day I've dreamed about for a long time," Flagg said Monday in a live interview with Robin Roberts on "." "I'm really excited to have my family here, my friends -- to be able to go through this with them is really exciting.
"The 6-foot-9-inch forward told Roberts he visited Dallas recently and is "really excited" for Wednesday night, whatever the outcome. "I was able to take a workout there earlier last week, and it was a great visit," he said of Dallas. "I got to see all the facilities and everything. It's an incredible organization, so whatever happens tonight, I'm really excited.", Flagg has been a front-runner for the top draft pick ever since his 2023 decision to graduate high school a year early and start college as a 17-year-old. Duke forward Cooper Flagg celebrates after scoring against the Houston during the second half in the national semifinals at the Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, April 5, 2025, in San Antonio.At Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists, and led the Blue Devils to a Final Four appearance this year. As soon as he enters the NBA, Flagg will go in the history books as only the third person born in the state of Maine to play in the NBA. Flagg said he always feels the support of his family, his friends and his home state behind him. "I think for me, coming from Maine, it's a huge part of who I am and what I represent, and I have the whole state behind me, and I feel their support every day," he said. Cooper Flagg of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles up court against the Houston Cougars in the first half during the Final Four round of the men's NCAA basketball tournament , April 5, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.In addition to that support, Flagg attributes his own competitiveness, drive and self-motivation to helping him reach the NBA draft. "It's about just sending that message that it doesn't matter where you're from, where you grow up. As long as you believe in yourself and really work hard, you can really achieve your dreams," he said."I think having my family close with me and having a tight circle of people around me to help kind of navigate through everything is going to be really important," Flagg said. "Just helping me have a smooth transition."The 2025 NBA draft takes place Wednesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 26, at Barclays Center in New York City.The 2025 NBA draft is a two-night televised event.Jun 23, 11:51 PM
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