In the past two NBA Drafts, a player from France has been chosen as the No. 1 pick. First was Victor Wembanyama in 2023, followed by Zaccharie Risacher in 2024. However, this streak is expected to end next year with the projected No. 1 pick being American player Cooper Flagg from Duke University. Flagg is considered a one-and-done star and has been a standout player at the high school level for years. He is a versatile and high-level prospect that many believe could be taken first overall by any of the 30 NBA franchises if the draft were held today.
While the draft is still a year away and things could change, Flagg’s talent level and potential make it difficult to imagine anyone surpassing him as the top choice in the draft. His performance at Duke this season will be a key factor in determining his draft stock. Despite changes in the NBA draft lottery odds that have diminished the impact of tanking, many teams are still expected to consider #TankForFlagg as a viable strategy in the upcoming season.
However, it’s important to note that this projection does not take team needs into consideration and is more of a big board than a mock draft. The lottery order was based on past season’s odds and should not be seen as a prediction for the upcoming season.
Flagg’s rise to the top of draft boards is likely to be a major storyline in the months leading up to
