In just a few hours, the next wave of NBA talent will be welcomed into the association at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with NBA commissioner Adam Silver announcing their names — and that includes the highly anticipated moment of the No. 1 overall pick.
The No. 1 overall pick for the 2025 NBA Draft is all but a done deal and a selection that doesn’t have much uncertainty surrounding it going into the draft, as the Dallas Mavericks are widely expected to take Duke’s Cooper Flagg with the top overall pick.
At 18 years old, Flagg will be the second youngest player taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft’s history, only behind four-time NBA champion LeBron James. Should Flagg be taken by the Mavericks, Flagg not only will be able to start his NBA career with a true contender for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but will add his name to the legacy and history of former Blue Devils that have been taken with the pick.
So with the 2025 NBA Draft set to get underway on June 25 at 8 p.m. ET at the Barclays Center, what exclusive group of past NBA talent is Flagg expected to join as the presumed No. 1 overall pick? Here’s a full look at the history of the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, including a year-by-year list of the top overall pick and which Division I colleges have the most No. 1 overall picks:
Who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft?
The expected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who won the Naismith, Wooden and Associated Press National Player of the Year awards this past season as a true freshman.
The do-it-all young star led the Blue Devils in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Flagg has outstanding footwork, especially in the low post. He can use either hand on shots in the paint, knows how to run plays, can hit catch-and-shoot 3s and is an active weakside defender. Flagg, who added more muscle since the start of the year, is a physical player who initiates contact, is confident and plays with force when necessary.
Most NBA draft No. 1 overall picks by a single college
Here’s a breakdown of which Division I basketball programs have the most No. 1 overall picks:
Five (1): Duke
Three (1): Kentucky
Two (16): Cincinnati, Duquesne, Georgetown, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Purdue, UCLA, UNLV, Utah and West Virginia
One (31): Arizona, Bowling Green, Bradley, Davidson, DePaul, Furman, Georgia, Illinois State, LIU Brooklyn, Loyola Chicago, Marshall, Memphis, Michigan State, Minnesota, Navy, NC State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Pacific, Providence, Seattle, St. Bonaventure, Syracuse, Texas Wesleyan, Texas Western, Virginia, Wake Forest and Washington
NBA draft No. 1 pick history
Here’s a full list of No. 1 overall picks in the NBA draft dating back to 1947:
2024: Zaccharie Risacher (France) — Atlanta Hawks
2023: Victor Wembanyama (France) — San Antonio Spurs
2022: Paolo Banchero (Duke) — Orlando Magic
2021: Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State) — Detroit Pistons
2020: Anthony Edwards (Georgia) — Minnesota Timberwolves
2019: Zion Williamson (Duke) — New Orleans Pelicans
2018: Deandre Ayton (Arizona) — Phoenix Suns
2017: Markelle Fultz (Washington) — Philadelphia 76ers
2016: Ben Simmons (LSU) — Philadelphia 76ers
2015: Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky) — Minnesota Timberwolves
2014: Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) — Cleveland Cavaliers
2013: Anthony Bennett (UNLV) — Cleveland Cavaliers
2012: Anthony Davis (Kentucky) — New Orleans Hornets
2011: Kyrie Irving (Duke) — Cleveland Cavaliers
2010: John Wall (Kentucky) — Washington Wizards
2009: Blake Griffin (Oklahoma) — Los Angeles Clippers
2008: Derrick Rose (Memphis) — Chicago Bulls
2007: Greg Oden (Ohio State) — Portland Trail Blazers
2006: Andrea Bargnani (Italy) — Toronto Raptors
2005: Andrew Bogut (Utah) — Milwaukee Bucks
2004: Dwight Howard (High School, SACA) — Orlando Magic
2003: LeBron James (High School, St. Vincent-St. Mary) — Cleveland Cavaliers
2002: Yao Ming (China) — Houston Rockets
2001: Kwame Brown (High School, Glynn Academy) — Washington Wizards
2000: Kenyon Martin (Cincinnati) — New Jersey Nets
1999: Elton Brand (Duke) — Chicago Bulls
1998: Michael Olowokandi (Pacific) — Los Angeles Clippers
1997: Tim Duncan (Wake Forest) — San Antonio Spurs
1996: Allen Iverson (Georgetown) — Philadelphia 76ers
1995: Joe Smith (Maryland) — Golden State Warriors
1994: Glen Robinson (Purdue) — Milwaukee Bucks
1993: Chris Webber (Michigan) — Orlando Magic
1992: Shaquille O’Neal (LSU) — Orlando Magic
1991: Larry Johnson (UNLV) — Charlotte Hornets
1990: Derrick Coleman (Syracuse) — Charlotte Hornets
Click here to look at the full list of No. 1 overall NBA draft picks dating back to 1947.
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