On a night filled͏ with emotion, ͏history, and celebration, Duke basketball ͏once again commanded the national spotlight. ͏With three players selected in͏ the top 10 of the N͏BA Draft, the Blue Devils ͏cemented ͏a new chapter ͏of their storied͏ ͏legacy. Here’s how two of those top-10 picks reacted to the special night.
Duke Stars Reflect on ‘Incredible’ NBA Draft Night
Star forward Cooper Flagg, sharpshooter Kon Knueppel, and dominant center Khaman Maluach were selected within the first 10 picks of the NBA Draft, marking the second time Duke has accomplished such a feat in six years. The milestone was not lost on those involved.
“It’s incredible. I heard the announcement while I was doing the interview out there, and I had to stand up and just clap for him, because nobody deserves it more than Kon,” Flagg said. “That was my roommate last year, so just to be able to have this moment with him, both of us in the top five, it feels incredible. I know how much hard work he puts in. I know how dedicated he is. So just super happy for him and his family.”
Cooper Flagg was HYPE for his @DukeMBB roommate Kon Knueppel going at No. 4 to the @hornets in the #NBADraft 😆👏
🎙️ @TaylorRooks pic.twitter.com/olllOhuozF
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 26, 2025
Fl͏agg, the 18-yea͏r-͏old phenom,͏ was͏ selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks and became Duke’s fifth top pick in the lottery era. His all-around excellence͏ in the 2024-25 college season͏, where he led the Blue Devils in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, earned him Naismith Na͏tional Player of the Year honors͏ and anchored Duke’s dominant ͏19͏-1 run in ACC play.
Knueppel didn’t wait long to join him, as the Charlotte Hornets picked the 6’7″ wing with the fourth pick. Known for his shooting efficiency and court vision, Knueppel was a key contributor during Duke’s ACC tournament run, averaging 21 points on 48.7% shooting, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.
The celebration continued when the Phoenix Suns (via the pick that they will receive from the Houston Rockets in the Kevin Durant trade) selected Maluach at No.10. The 7-foot-1 center, who was a late bloomer, is seen as a long-term project with massive upside. He is originally from South Sudan but had to move to Uganda after the civil war in his home country.
“It just makes me proud because I know how much work they put in.” 💙
Khaman Maluach showed love to his former Duke teammates Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel when he talked with @TaylorRooks 🙌 pic.twitter.com/GRfOlbYKue
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 26, 2025
“It was so emotional getting to see my teammates, my fellow freshmen getting drafted,” Maluach said. “I was so happy for them because they deserve everything they have. They worked hard for it, for that moment, too.” All three Blue Devils were͏ one-and-done players, echoing ͏Duke’s 2019 trio of Zion Williamson͏, RJ ͏Barrett, and Cam Reddish.
Yet this group pushed even further,͏ leading Duke to ͏the Final Four͏ before ͏a last-minute Houston run ended their national title͏ hopes. Even without a championship, the legacy of this freshman trio is secure. Their NBA journeys now begin, but the bond formed at Duke and the pride of sharing draft night will likely stay forever.
