Duke Responds to NBA Reunion Featuring Cooper Flagg
Duke was expected by many to win last season's men's NCAA championship thanks to the ultra-talented roster it possessed, although it ultimately lost in the Final Four round. That roster boasted the likes of big man Khaman Maluach, sharpshooter Kon Knueppel, guard Tyrese Proctor and, of course, 6-foot-9 sensation Cooper Flagg.
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All four are now on NBA rosters after being taken in the draft a few weeks ago. Flagg was the No. 1 pick by the Dallas Mavericks, Knueppel went to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 4 and Maluach headed to the Phoenix Suns after being chosen with the No. 10 selection. Proctor ended up as a second-round draft pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Flagg, Proctor and Maluach did a rookie photo shoot together, and it was a bit of a reunion for them. Resharing the NBA's post through their social media handle, Duke Men's Basketball wrote, "you see it."
Proctor, who is originally from Australia, averaged 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game and shot 40.5% from 3-point range this past season. Maluach, who was born in South Sudan and grew up in Uganda, averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks a game while making 71.2% of his field-goal attempts last season.
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At 7-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Maluach is thought to have some serious potential at the next level as a defensive center.
Flagg is expected by many to become a legitimate star, and he will have the opportunity to do so on a Mavericks team that has plenty of talent and will likely aim for the playoffs next spring.
Despite losing so many talented players, Duke has had a whale of a recruiting offseason. It has gotten commitments from five-star prospects Cameron Boozer and Dame Sarr, as well as Cayden Boozer, who is also a five-star recruit out of Miami.
Related: Former Dallas Maverick Piles on Praise for Cooper Flagg
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
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