The 18-year-old revealed his intentions in a video posted to social media on Monday, 21 April.

Cooper Flagg’s long-awaited ascent to the NBA came one step closer to reality on Monday, 21 April, as the 18-year-old collegiate superstar officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft.

The announcement came on the heels of his first season of collegiate basketball at Duke University, where he led the Blue Devils to a “Final Four” appearance in the highly popular “March Madness” tournament.

He saluted the support of teammates, coaching staff and fans in a video statement released on Instagram.

“Duke fans, my teammates, the brotherhood, everybody that was along for the journey. It was an incredible year, probably the best year of my life, and I have so much gratitude and I feel so blessed for all the opportunities that I was given,” reflected the teenage sensation.

“Duke has always been a dream for me, but I’m excited to announce that I’ll be entering my name into the 2025 NBA draft.”

One of the most-anticipated young prospects in recent years, Flagg has widely been touted as the likely No.1 overall draft pick by much of the media in the lead-up to his announcement.

A standout player in high school, he first gained national attention as a player for the USA Select Team – a squad formed to help train Team USA ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

From there, he began his short, but nonetheless celebrated, collegiate career at Duke, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his freshman season.

It was enough to make him a unanimous candidate for National Player of the Year and net him the prestigious John R. Wooden Award – an honour given to the best collegiate basketball player annually.

He enters the 2025 NBA Draft as a player to watch, especially as the Olympic Games LA28 draw nearer, necessitating the formation of Team USA’s next “Dream Team.”

Source: IOC