Several players from the 2024–25 Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team dazzled us with superb performances, and many of them are now preparing to make the jump to the NBA. Notably, Cooper Flagg has even cemented his place as the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft with his incredible freshman campaign. He’ll be stretching those guys out, as well as Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, and Tyrese Proctor, each of whom has their own skill-set and ceiling as pros.
Cooper Flagg: A Truly Special Player
Flagg’s freshman season at Duke went perfectly. His versatility and all-around game allowed him to win almost every accolade imaginable, including National College Player of the Year and ACC Player of the Year honors while averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season. The way he can influence the game on both sides of the floor is reminiscent of some of the game’s greats, and his high ceiling has NBA scouts and executives buzzing. But Flagg is indeed the presumptive No. 1 pick for the upcoming draft, with the Dallas Mavericks comfortable picturing him as the foundation of their rebuild. That is exactly what awaits him in Dallas, where the franchise is already moving on from the changes to its roster. Flagg’s arrival could shift futures markets dramatically, for example, the Rookie of the Year odds and long-term projections on Dallas’ postseason potential. For punters looking into the Mavericks’ outlook, using an online odds calculator becomes essential for understanding implied probabilities and identifying value in early lines tied to Flagg’s impact.
Kon Knueppel: High-Flying, High-Volume Sharpshooter
Kon Knueppel became a mainstay for the Blue Devils, displaying an ability to score and understand the game. He put up 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 40.6 percent from deep as a 6’6 forward. He has a tendency to shine in critical moments, including an MVP performance in the ACC Tournament. Knueppel is considered one of the top-10 prospects in the class, and his all-around offensive game and shooting ability are particularly attractive for teams in need of a steady three-point option.
Khaman Maluach: Defensive Anchor to Watch
This season, Khaman Maluach has continued to grow. At 7’2, the center averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game and was a key part of Duke’s defense with his rim protection and interior presence. He cemented his draft stock at the NBA Combine with a display of shooting range and athleticism.
Maluach has gone from an assumed late first-rounder to a lock to go somewhere in the lottery, and even has some analysts pegging him as high as No. 2 overall.
Tyrese Proctor: Solid Secondary Playmaker
“We put a lot on Tyrese Proctor’s plate in our backcourt, and he handled it with such poise”.
Proctor averaged 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists during the season, and his ability to control the tempo of the game and the team’s offense was critical. Declaring for the NBA Draft, and the 2025 class, just added another talented guard.
What Next?
These stars are heading to the NBA, but Duke basketball will reload with a top-ranked recruiting class. Five-star forward Cameron Boozer, the son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer, will headline the newcomers. Joining him: his twin brother, fellow five-star prospect and guard Cayden Boozer, and Nikolas Khamenia. They also help ensure that Duke remains a national powerhouse in college hoops and retains its tradition of having NBA-ready talent on the floor. As the 2024–25 season rolled around, Duke was showing its talent-for-breeding elite knack. Duke basketball has days of greatness ahead with Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, and Tyrese Proctor starting their first year.
