2025 NBA Draft Live Updates: Cooper Flagg Joins Mavericks as No. 1 Pick & Ace Bailey’s Surprising Slide to Jazz!

The 2025 NBA Draft has wrapped up, with some exciting picks. The Dallas Mavericks took Duke’s star player, Cooper Flagg, as the No. 1 pick. Next, the San Antonio Spurs picked Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, widely considered the second-best player in this draft class.

Things got interesting at the No. 3 spot, where the Philadelphia 76ers surprised many by choosing Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe instead of the expected Rutgers forward Ace Bailey. The biggest shock came just a few picks later when the Utah Jazz selected Bailey at No. 5. Reports indicated that Bailey hadn’t worked out for any team before the draft, making this a bold choice for the Jazz, who are looking to boost their scoring options.

Trades and unexpected selections defined the first round. The Portland Trail Blazers notably snagged center Yang Hansen from China at No. 16, surprising many who projected him as a second-rounder. Meanwhile, Illinois guard Kasparas Jakučionis, once viewed as a lottery pick, dropped to the Miami Heat at No. 20. Another notable faller was UConn forward Liam McNeeley, picked at No. 29 by the Charlotte Hornets.

Interestingly, the Brooklyn Nets made history by selecting five players in the first round. Their haul included BYU guard Egor Demin at No. 8 and concluded with Michigan center Danny Wolf at No. 27.

As we gear up for the second round, set to take place on Thursday at Barclays Center, let’s look at some patterns and trends that emerged this year.

In total, the draft saw 11 freshmen selected in the lottery, tying the record set in 2017. This year, there were 11 freshmen, one sophomore, one upperclassman, and one international player taken in the lottery.

However, Arkansas coach John Calipari’s run of consecutive first-round picks ended this year. He hasn’t had a player selected since 2008, with his prospect Adou Thiero waiting until Day 2 to hear his name.

The New Orleans Pelicans made an eye-catching choice, picking Jeremiah Fears at No. 7 just after trading for Jordan Poole. Fears was known for his playmaking ability and agility, making him a fascinating addition to the Pelicans’ backcourt, alongside the versatile Poole.

This year’s draft was notable not just for the talent but for the strategic decisions teams made amidst the changing landscape of college basketball. With young talent coming into the league, the future looks bright for many of these teams.

For more insights on the draft, check out resources like NBA Draft Tracker.

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