Brooklyn, New York – The 2025 NBA Draft was a historic night for Duke University, as the storied basketball program accomplished a feat rarely seen in modern college basketball: all five of its starters from the 2024-2025 season were selected in the NBA Draft. This remarkable achievement underscores Duke’s unparalleled ability to attract, develop, and produce NBA-ready talent under the leadership of Head Coach Jon Scheyer. The 2024-2025 Blue Devils, who finished with an impressive 35-4 record, an ACC regular season championship, an ACC Tournament championship, and a Final Four appearance, will now see their entire starting five embark on professional careers.
This marks only the third time in NBA Draft history that all five starters from a single college team have been selected in the same draft. Duke now joins an elite group alongside the 2012 Kentucky Wildcats (featuring Anthony Davis) and the 2006 UConn Huskies (featuring Rudy Gay).
Let’s break down the historic selections from Duke’s starting five:
1. Cooper Flagg (No. 1 Overall Pick, Dallas Mavericks)
The undisputed crown jewel of the 2025 NBA Draft class, Cooper Flagg was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the first overall pick. Flagg, the highly anticipated 6-foot-8 forward, reclassified to join Duke a year early and lived up to every ounce of hype in his singular season. He led the Blue Devils to the Final Four and earned the prestigious AP National Player of the Year award, a rare feat for a freshman. Flagg’s versatile two-way game, relentless motor, and elite basketball IQ make him a generational talent capable of impacting the game on both ends of the floor from day one. His selection was met with raw emotion, a culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice for him and his family.
2. Kon Knueppel (No. 4 Overall Pick, Charlotte Hornets)
The second Duke starter off the board, Kon Knueppel, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, was chosen by the Charlotte Hornets with the fourth overall pick. Knueppel was a crucial piece of Duke’s success, known for his elite shooting prowess and high basketball IQ. In his freshman season, he displayed his ability to score efficiently and play within a team concept, hitting 40.6% of his three-point attempts on significant volume. Knueppel’s quiet confidence, combined with his fundamental soundness and dedication, made him an ideal fit for a team looking for a reliable “3-and-D” wing. His consistent performance and unselfish play were key to Duke’s championship-caliber season.
3. Khaman Maluach (No. 10 Overall Pick, Phoenix Suns – via trade with Houston Rockets)
Completing Duke’s trio of top-10 selections was Khaman Maluach, the towering 7-foot-2 center from South Sudan. Selected by the Houston Rockets with the 10th pick and then traded to the Phoenix Suns, Maluach’s journey is one of incredible inspiration. He spent one season at Duke, showcasing remarkable physical tools and a rapid development curve. His defensive presence, shot-blocking ability, and improving offensive game made him one of the most intriguing big-man prospects in the draft. Maluach’s emotional reaction to being drafted highlighted the profound impact of basketball in his life and the hope he represents for his home country. His high upside makes him a valuable long-term asset for the Suns.
4. Sion James (No. 33 Overall Pick, Charlotte Hornets)
As the second round commenced, Duke’s dominance continued with the selection of Sion James, a 6-foot-6 guard, by the Charlotte Hornets at No. 33. James, a graduate transfer, brought invaluable experience, defensive tenacity, and timely shooting to the Blue Devils’ starting lineup. Known for his versatility and unselfish play, James was a glue guy who often did the dirty work that didn’t show up in the stat sheet but was crucial to Duke’s success. He was a reliable perimeter defender and showcased improved three-point shooting (41.3% in his final collegiate season), making him an attractive “3-and-D” prospect in the second round. His leadership and maturity will be a significant asset for the Hornets, reuniting him with former teammate Kon Knueppel.
5. Tyrese Proctor (No. 49 Overall Pick, Cleveland Cavaliers)
Rounding out Duke’s historic starting five in the draft was Tyrese Proctor, a 6-foot-5 guard, selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 49th overall pick. Proctor, who spent three seasons at Duke, provided crucial backcourt stability, playmaking, and perimeter defense for the Blue Devils. He was a consistent starter and showed flashes of his potential as a primary ball-handler and creator. His decision-making, combined with his improving shooting stroke and length on defense, made him a solid value pick in the late second round. Proctor’s experience in a high-pressure collegiate environment and his growth over three years in Durham prepare him well for the demands of the NBA.
This unprecedented draft success is a monumental testament to Jon Scheyer in his third season as Duke’s head coach. Taking over from legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, Scheyer faced immense pressure, but he has not only maintained Duke’s elite status but has also propelled the program to new heights. In the 2024-2025 season, Scheyer led Duke to a stellar 35-4 overall record, an outright ACC regular season championship (19-1 in conference play), and an ACC Tournament championship. The Blue Devils also earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and made a deep run to the Final Four, ultimately falling in a close contest to Houston.
Scheyer’s ability to recruit top-tier talent from both the high school ranks (like Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach) and the transfer portal (like Sion James) has been crucial. More importantly, his coaching staff’s development program has clearly paid dividends, evidenced by the NBA readiness of all five starters. This draft class solidifies Scheyer’s reputation as one of the best young coaches in college basketball and ensures that Duke will remain a premier destination for aspiring NBA players.
While this historic draft class is a cause for immense celebration, it also signals a significant roster overhaul for the Blue Devils in the upcoming 2025-2026 season. With all five starters heading to the NBA, Coach Scheyer will once again face the challenge of rebuilding. However, the program’s unparalleled draft success will undoubtedly serve as a powerful recruiting tool, attracting the next wave of elite talent to Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The 2025 NBA Draft will be remembered as a landmark event for Duke Basketball, showcasing the program’s enduring legacy and its bright future under Jon Scheyer. The sight of all five starters making the jump to the NBA is a testament to their individual hard work, their collective chemistry, and the world-class environment at Duke that prepared them for the ultimate stage.
