### “A Blessing From God”: Cooper Flagg Declares for 2025 NBA Draft, Projected No. 1 Pick Says He’ll Be Thankful for Any Team That Selects Him
**November 20, 2025** – DURHAM, N.C. – Cooper Flagg made it official Wednesday afternoon: the most hyped college basketball player since LeBron James is headed to the NBA.
In a heartfelt, 12-minute sit-down interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews that aired live from Duke’s championship museum, the 18-year-old freshman forward announced he will enter the 2025 NBA Draft after leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four and earning every major National Player of the Year award.
“It would be a blessing for me to get drafted by any team in the NBA,” Flagg said, his voice steady but emotional. “That’s a dream of mine, to play in the NBA. I don’t care if it’s No. 1, No. 5, No. 10—whatever team believes in me and gives me that opportunity, I’m going to be grateful every single day.”
The declaration ends months of speculation. While most one-and-done phenoms treat the draft process like a coronation, Flagg—raised in tiny Newport, Maine (population 3,300)—repeatedly emphasized humility and gratitude in a way that felt genuine, not scripted.
“God’s put me in this position,” he continued. “From playing on a dirt court in my backyard to Madison Square Garden, the McDonald’s game, Duke, the USA team… I never want to take that for granted. Whoever’s hat I put on in June, that city is getting everything I’ve got.”
#### The Season That Made Him the Consensus No. 1 Pick
Flagg’s lone college season was historic.
– 19.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.8 blocks, 1.9 steals per game
– 48.2% FG | 39.1% 3PT | 81% FT
– Led Duke to a 35-3 record and the program’s first national championship game appearance since 2022
– National Player of the Year (AP, Naismith, Wooden, USBWA)
– Final Four Most Outstanding Player
– ACC Player and Freshman of the Year
He delivered iconic moment after iconic moment: the 42-point, 12-rebound explosion against Auburn in the Elite Eight, the chase-down block on Purdue’s Zach Edey that sealed the national semifinal, the tear-filled embrace with coach Jon Scheyer after the title-game loss to Houston.
Off the court, Flagg became America’s sweetheart. Nike launched the “Flagg Day” marketing campaign. He appeared on Fallon, guest-starred on SNL, and had his No. 2 Duke jersey become the top-selling college jersey of all time—men’s or women’s.
Yet through it all, he never changed. Teammates say he still answered every text from kids back in Maine, still FaceTimed his high school coach every week, and still refused to let anyone carry his backpack.
#### The Humble Superstar in a Me-First Era
In an age when top prospects often talk about “getting theirs,” Flagg’s comments stood out for their lack of ego.
When Andrews asked the inevitable “Do you want to be the No. 1 pick?” question, Flagg smiled and shrugged.
“I mean, obviously it would be incredible,” he said. “But I’ve seen the mock drafts. I know what people are saying. At the end of the day, I just want to play basketball at the highest level and help a team win. If a GM thinks someone else is better for their franchise, I respect that. I’ll just go prove them wrong wherever I land.”
That answer immediately went viral. Within an hour, #BlessingFromGod was trending worldwide.
#### Where Will He Go? The 2025 Lottery Picture
As of November 20, the lottery odds are still fluid, but current projections have these teams in prime position for Flagg:
1. Detroit Pistons (projected worst record)
2. Washington Wizards
3. Charlotte Hornets
4. Portland Trail Blazers
5. Brooklyn Nets (own their pick)
Detroit, in particular, has been linked to Flagg all season. Cade Cunningham has publicly recruited him, and the Pistons’ young core (Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, Ron Holland) would pair perfectly with Flagg’s two-way dominance.
But Flagg refused to play the destination game.
“I’m not allowed to have favorites right now anyway,” he laughed. “And honestly? I’d be excited for any situation. Detroit, D.C., Charlotte, wherever. New city, new chapter, same mission: work and win.”
#### The Duke Legacy and Emotional Goodbye
Flagg became visibly emotional when talking about leaving Durham.
“Coach Scheyer believed in me when a lot of people said I should’ve just gone pro out of high school,” he said. “My teammates—Kon, Khaman, Tyrese, Sion—they became my brothers. The Cameron Crazies… man, I’m gonna miss those tent cities.”
He ended the interview by pulling a small piece of paper from his pocket—a handwritten note from his mom Kelly that she gave him the night before his first Duke game.
It read: “Be where your feet are. Love the journey. God is good.”
Flagg held it up to the camera.
“This is still in my locker,” he said. “And it’s coming with me to wherever I go next.”
#### The NBA World Reacts
Reaction was immediate and universal.
Adam Silver: “Cooper represents everything that is right about our game.”
LeBron James: “That kid is special on and off the floor. League about to get a good one.”
Kevin Durant: “Humility + killer instinct = problem for the next 15 years.”
Cade Cunningham: “Hope I get to throw him lobs one day 🤞”
Nike already has the “Blessed” T-shirt in production.
In a draft class that includes Cameron Boozer, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and VJ Edgecombe, there is zero debate: Cooper Flagg is the prize.
And on a Wednesday afternoon in November, the kid from Newport, Maine reminded everyone that even the most gifted athletes can stay grounded.
“It’s not about being the No. 1 pick,” Flagg said one final time. “It’s about being the best player I can be for whatever team is crazy enough to believe in me.”
Come June 25, 2025, at Barclays Center, one franchise is about to receive the ultimate blessing.
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