NBA Execs, scouts don’t think Cooper Flagg is consensus No. 1 pick in 2025 NBA Draft

NBA Execs, scouts don’t think Cooper Flagg is consensus No. 1 pick in 2025 NBA Draft

After turning heads with the USA Select Team ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Duke commit Cooper Flagg is the clear presumptive favorite to be drafted No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Though according to an anonymous ESPN poll involving 20 total NBA executives and scouts, if the draft were to be held today, not everyone believed Flagg would be the top selection, contrary to popular belief.

Responding to who they think the No. 1 pick would be, 16 of the 20 voters said Flagg, with three other players getting votes:

• Rutgers commit Dylan Harper – 2
• Rutgers commit Ace Bailey – 1
• Baylor commit V.J. Edgecombe – 1

“I was in Spain for the Olympic qualifiers and [Edgecombe] was the best player on the floor in multiple games I attended,” one scout said, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo. “This guy has another gear that few players in the NBA have. He’s a better ball handler and passer than people realize. The shooting is going to be OK. And he’s absolutely fearless. I think he ends up being a point guard. I’m sky-high on him.”

Anything is possible, but we are still far closer to the 2023 draft than we are the 2024 draft. In 2023, French superstar Victor Wembanyama was pegged the No. 1 overall pick for months–and perhaps years–leading up to it; in 2024, up until the draft, few had a clue who it would be between Zaccharie Risacher (the eventual No. 1 pick), Alexandre Sarr, Donovan Clingan and Reed Sheppard.

Flagg was the only college player who played on Team USA’s Select Team; Edgecombe played for the Bahamas, where he shined alongside Buddy Hield, Eric Gordon and Deandre Ayton. Flagg held his own against one of the most talented Team USA squads in recent memory–converting putback dunks, fadeaways and pull-up jumpers over premier defenders.

In the limited clips we saw from the two scrimmages, he showed the whole package.

Tough @Cooper_Flagg 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/aDFJ4eD141

— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) July 8, 2024

Cooper Flagg USA Basketball Scrimmage Highlights 😈🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/OayFbjkxxa

— DukeLights 𝕏 (@DukeLightsX) July 9, 2024

Duke commit Cooper Flagg has taken over USA Basketball scrimmage: hits a three and then finishes a tough putback pic.twitter.com/SB3Y4fDpYt

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 8, 2024

“I haven’t studied this class deeply enough yet and I’m sure our boards will all change, but from what I saw at Hoop Summit and in Vegas with USA Basketball, good luck catching that guy,” one voter said. “[Flagg] could start for our team tonight and make a huge impact with his toughness, feel and instincts on both ends. His shooting looks good also.”

Even though we’re 11 months out, suggesting Flagg would be the consensus No. 1 today wouldn’t be a knock on Harper, Bailey or Edgecombe. The floor is considerably higher at the top this year than in the 2024 class; all four of those guys would likely be the No. 1 in the 2024 class. They’re all talented players.

Anonymous NBA Head Coach says Cooper Flagg was best player on Team USA Select Team

Again, anything can change over the college season, but Flagg remains the clear favorite heading into next summer. He’s incredibly talented on both ends and has the competitive edge plus poise that teams look for–which makes for a steep climb for anyone to supplant him as the top overall selection come next June.

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