NBA DRAFT

June 25, 2025

Cooper Flagg

Q. Cooper, on behalf of all the internet conspiracy theorists who couldn't be here tonight, I have to ask, there are tons of rumors floating around that the NBA gave Dallas the pick to get you in exchange for Luka Doncic. Do you have any reaction to that?

COOPER FLAGG: No. I don't know what to say about that. I have no insider information, if that's what you're looking for. But I just feel blessed for the way it all worked out.

Q. Has it started to sink in yet? I know the journey has been a long one, and it finally culminates tonight.

COOPER FLAGG: I don't think so. I don't think it's set in yet. It feels surreal. I'm just playing the moments back in my head, standing up, hearing my name, and it went so fast. It feels like a blur. But I just feel really blessed and honored just to be here.

Q. Could you see yourself becoming the second first pick to ever win a championship in his rookie season? Is that the goal, winning a championship?

COOPER FLAGG: Of course. Of course, yeah. My mindset has always been to be a winner, so I'm going to try to win as hard as I can everywhere I go. I'm looking forward to being successful and winning a lot of games, for sure.

Q. Cooper, you have become the face of Maine to a lot of people around the country, probably the world. What's that like, and is there any pressure that comes with that?

COOPER FLAGG: It means a lot to me to have the support of the whole state. I know how many people showed up today and supported me at some of the draft parties back home. It feels amazing knowing I can inspire younger kids. I was in their shoes really not that long ago, so just to know I can give those kids those feelings and have the whole state behind me, it means a lot.

Q. Cooper, how much have you been able to enjoy the process, the hype leading up to the draft versus inside wanting to just get going and get to work doing what you do?

COOPER FLAGG: I tried to enjoy it as best I could. Obviously I'm antsy, I'm anxious. I wanted to get going. I was working out the whole time. I was excited to get this process over with. But at the same time it's a dream come true to go through this whole process, be here, enjoy it. I think I tried to do that to the best of my ability.

Q. Growing up as a kid and dreaming about the NBA, what was the most expensive thing you ever dreamt of buying when you become one?

COOPER FLAGG: I don't know. I don't think I ever had a taste for expensive things or thought about, oh, I'm going to buy this or this when I get older and have money. I don't really have an answer for that.

Q. You're going to a team where you've got Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively. At Duke, you guys call it the brotherhood. How can you lean on these guys as you make your transition to this league? And LeBron James said he felt by you going to a place like Dallas that has NBA champions, it could help you?

COOPER FLAGG: 100 percent. I'm really excited. I think I keep saying I'm excited to be a sponge, to get down there and just learn, be surrounded by Hall of Fame-caliber guys and just to be able to learn from them. It's going to be an incredible experience.

I feel so blessed to be in the position I am. Just to get down there, be a sponge, learn and try and grow my game as much as I can.

Q. Being here in New York, there's a ton of speculation about Jason Kidd potentially leaving the Mavs to coach the Knicks. Has he given you any assurance he'll be your coach and what do you hope to learn from him?

COOPER FLAGG: No, I haven't had those conversations yet at all. But I think talking with Coach Kidd, my workout and even after I got picked, I was on the phone with him for a minute, I think he's just excited. He has a good vision for me and what I can do and how I can impact the game. So I'm excited to just talk to him more.

Q. Your season ended about two and a half months ago. Since then a lot has been going on. I'd love to hear how have you been spending your time, skill development, conditioning, personal, business side? Can you talk about how you balance all that and how you've been spending your time?

COOPER FLAGG: Yeah, I've been in the gym. I took a little bit of time off after the season, for sure, let my body kind of reset and heal. But then I've been in the gym. My personal trainer, Matt MacKenzie has been with me since I was young, fourth grade, skill development-wise.

I've been in the gym with him a lot. I went through the whole pre-draft process with a group out in L.A. for CAA. I was in a group working out every day, pushing the other guys, the other guys pushing me to just get better. Then I've just been doing a lot of workouts, just trying to get better in a lot of different areas.

Q. You've gone through this process with your guys from Montverde and also Duke and now you get to see Kon go in the top five with you. What's it mean to you along the way and particularly with him?

COOPER FLAGG: 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. 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.