NBA mock draft: Duke basketball players projections for 2025 NBA Draft

When it comes to the NBA draft, there is perhaps not a more storied program associated with it than Duke: The Blue Devils have built a pipeline to the association that started with Mike Krzyzewski and has continued with Jon Scheyer.

That history is expected to continue with the 2025 NBA Draft.

Headlining the group of former Blue Devils projected to be NBA-bound is Cooper Flagg, who took over the college basketball world this season and swept the Wooden and Associated Press Player of the Year awards as a freshman.

REQUIRED READING: When is 2025 NBA draft? Date, time, TV schedule, draft order for first round

But Flagg isn’t the only projected first-rounder for the Blue Devils, nor the only projected top-10 pick, as Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach are expected to hear their names called early in the draft.

The 2025 NBA Draft gets underway on June 25 at 8 p.m. ET at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and will continue through June 26 with second-round selections. Here’s a look at where Duke basketball players are projected to go in the 2025 NBA Draft:

Duke basketball players in NBA mock drafts 2025

Cooper Flagg: Round 1, No. 1 overall to Dallas Mavericks

USA TODAY’s latest 2025 NBA mock draft has Flagg going to the Dallas Mavericks with the No. 1 overall pick — shocking. Should Flagg be taken with the top overall pick, he will be the sixth Duke player to be taken with the pick and the first since Paolo Banchero in 2022.

Here’s more on USA TODAY’s selection of Flagg to the Mavericks:

“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.”

Kon Knueppel: Round 1, No. 6 overall to Washington Wizards

USA TODAY’s mock draft has Knueppel heading to Washington to play for the Wizards with the No. 6 overall pick. Apart from Flagg, Knueppel was one of the more reliable scorers for Duke, finishing second on the team in scoring (14.4 points per game) and field goal percentage (47.9%) in 2024-25. He also flashed defense and playmaking skills, making him an intriguing prospect.

Here’s more on USA TODAY’s selection of Knueppel to the Wizards:

“He can ignite an offense with his 3-point shot, thanks to an efficient motion, seemingly always ready to receive the ball in his shooting pocket. He can also lace shots from midrange, take care of the ball and is money on free throws.”

Khaman Maluach: Round 1, No. 9 overall to Toronto Raptors

USA TODAY’s mock draft has the Toronto Raptors taking the 7-foot-2 Maluach with the No. 9 overall pick. To cite ESPN, Maluach’s rapid rise and improvement over the last year with the Blue Devils have made him one of the most talked-about prospects for the NBA Draft.

Here’s more on USA TODAY’s selection of Maluach to the Raptors:

“Playing about 20 minutes per game, Maluach is a mobile big who excels in pick-and-rolls and has the hands to catch lobs for easy dunks; soft touch at the rim; shot-blocker/rim protector; active on the offensive glass; will get stronger and has a great aptitude for the game, learning concepts quickly.”

Three draft picks in the first round don’t look to be the full draft class for Duke, as several Blue Devils are being projected to be taken in the second round, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo.

Here’s a look at where ESPN has several Duke players going into the second round:

• Guard, Tyrese Proctor: Round 2 to the Utah Jazz (No. 43 overall)
• Forward, Sion James: Round 2 to the Chicago Bulls (No. 45 overall)

2025 NBA Draft order

Here’s the full draft order for the first round of the NBA draft:

1. Dallas Mavericks
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Charlotte Hornets
5. Utah Jazz
6. Washington Wizards
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Brooklyn Nets
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Phoenix Suns (via Houston)
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento)
14. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta)
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando)
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit)
18. Washington Wizards (via Memphis)
19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee)
20. Miami Heat (via Golden State)
21. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)
22. Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Lakers)
23. New Orleans Pelicans (via Indiana)
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers)
25. Orlando Magic (via Denver)
26. Brooklyn Nets (via New York)
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston)
28. Boston Celtics
29. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland)
30. Los Angeles Clippers (via Oklahoma City)

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