NBA Draft Round 1 Notes By: Shahid Evans

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With the NBA Draft is being held in Brooklyn, New York, here are some notes I took on the 1st Round.

Cooper Flagg, a forward from Duke University, has become the sixth player from Duke to be drafted first overall, solidifying Duke's status as the program with the most number one overall picks in NBA history. The previous players drafted first overall are Art Heyman to the New York Knicks (1963), Elton Brand to the Chicago Bulls (1999), Kyrie Irving to the Cleveland Cavaliers (2011), Zion Williamson to the New Orleans Pelicans (2019), and Paolo Banchero to the Orlando Magic (2022). Flagg averaged 19.2 points per game and is expected to become a dynamic star.

Following Flagg's selection as the number one pick, the San Antonio Spurs drafted Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, who averaged 19.4 points per game, with the second pick. The Philadelphia 76ers then selected Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, who averaged 15.0 points per game, at the third pick. The Charlotte Hornets drafted Duke guard Kon Knueppel with the fourth pick, who averaged 14.4 points per game. Although Ace Bailey, a guard from Rutgers, expressed a desire not to be drafted by the Utah Jazz, he was picked anyway with the fifth pick, having averaged 17.6 points per game.

Several trades occurred on the first day of the draft. The Phoenix Suns acquired the 10th pick from the Houston Rockets to select center Khaman Maluach from Duke, who averaged 6.6 rebounds per game. The Memphis Grizzlies obtained the 11th pick from the Portland Trail Blazers and drafted forward Cedric Coward from Washington State University, who averaged 12.0 points per game. Finally, the New Orleans Pelicans acquired the 13th pick from the Atlanta Hawks, selecting center Derik Queen from Maryland, who averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.