In just a few hours, the next wave of NBA talent will be welcomed into the association at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with NBA commissioner Adam Silver announcing their names — and that includes the highly anticipated moment of the No. 1 overall pick.
The No. 1 overall pick for the 2025 NBA Draft is all but a done deal and a selection that doesn’t have much uncertainty surrounding it going into the draft, as the Dallas Mavericks are widely expected to take Duke’s Cooper Flagg with the top overall pick.
At 18 years old, Flagg will be the second youngest player taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft’s history, only behind four-time NBA champion LeBron James. Should Flagg be taken by the Mavericks, Flagg not only will be able to start his NBA career with a true contender for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but will add his name to the legacy and history of former Blue Devils that have been taken with the pick.
So with the 2025 NBA Draft set to get underway on June 25 at 8 p.m. ET at the Barclays Center, what exclusive group of past NBA talent is Flagg expected to join as the presumed No. 1 overall pick? Here’s a full look at the history of the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, including a year-by-year list of the top overall pick and which Division I colleges have the most No. 1 overall picks:
Who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft?
The expected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who won the Naismith, Wooden and Associated Press National Player of the Year awards this past season as a true freshman.
The do-it-all young star led the Blue Devils in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Flagg has outstanding footwork, especially in the low post. He can use either hand on shots in the paint, knows how to run plays, can hit catch-and-shoot 3s and is an active weakside defender. Flagg, who added more muscle since the start of the year, is a physical player who initiates contact, is confident and plays with force when necessary.
Most NBA draft No. 1 overall picks by a single college
Here’s a breakdown of which Division I basketball programs have the most No. 1 overall picks:
- Five (1): Duke
- Three (1): Kentucky
- Two (16): Cincinnati, Duquesne, Georgetown, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Purdue, UCLA, UNLV, Utah and West Virginia
- One (31): Arizona, Bowling Green, Bradley, Davidson, DePaul, Furman, Georgia, Illinois State, LIU Brooklyn, Loyola Chicago, Marshall, Memphis, Michigan State, Minnesota, Navy, NC State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Pacific, Providence, Seattle, St. Bonaventure, Syracuse, Texas Wesleyan, Texas Western, Virginia, Wake Forest and Washington
NBA draft No. 1 pick history
Here’s a full list of No. 1 overall picks in the NBA draft dating back to 1947:
- 2024: Zaccharie Risacher (France) — Atlanta Hawks
- 2023: Victor Wembanyama (France) — San Antonio Spurs
- 2022: Paolo Banchero (Duke) — Orlando Magic
- 2021: Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State) — Detroit Pistons
- 2020: Anthony Edwards (Georgia) — Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2019: Zion Williamson (Duke) — New Orleans Pelicans
- 2018: Deandre Ayton (Arizona) — Phoenix Suns
- 2017: Markelle Fultz (Washington) — Philadelphia 76ers
- 2016: Ben Simmons (LSU) — Philadelphia 76ers
- 2015: Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky) — Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2014: Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) — Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2013: Anthony Bennett (UNLV) — Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2012: Anthony Davis (Kentucky) — New Orleans Hornets
- 2011: Kyrie Irving (Duke) — Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2010: John Wall (Kentucky) — Washington Wizards
- 2009: Blake Griffin (Oklahoma) — Los Angeles Clippers
- 2008: Derrick Rose (Memphis) — Chicago Bulls
- 2007: Greg Oden (Ohio State) — Portland Trail Blazers
- 2006: Andrea Bargnani (Italy) — Toronto Raptors
- 2005: Andrew Bogut (Utah) — Milwaukee Bucks
- 2004: Dwight Howard (High School, SACA) — Orlando Magic
- 2003: LeBron James (High School, St. Vincent-St. Mary) — Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2002: Yao Ming (China) — Houston Rockets
- 2001: Kwame Brown (High School, Glynn Academy) — Washington Wizards
- 2000: Kenyon Martin (Cincinnati) — New Jersey Nets
- 1999: Elton Brand (Duke) — Chicago Bulls
- 1998: Michael Olowokandi (Pacific) — Los Angeles Clippers
- 1997: Tim Duncan (Wake Forest) — San Antonio Spurs
- 1996: Allen Iverson (Georgetown) — Philadelphia 76ers
- 1995: Joe Smith (Maryland) — Golden State Warriors
- 1994: Glen Robinson (Purdue) — Milwaukee Bucks
- 1993: Chris Webber (Michigan) — Orlando Magic
- 1992: Shaquille O’Neal (LSU) — Orlando Magic
- 1991: Larry Johnson (UNLV) — Charlotte Hornets
- 1990: Derrick Coleman (Syracuse) — Charlotte Hornets
Click here to look at the full list of No. 1 overall NBA draft picks dating back to 1947.
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