Yes.
Cooper Flagg, picked No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25, is the first American-born white player to be drafted first overall since Kent Benson of Indiana was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1977.
In the years since, a handful of white international players have gone at No. 1, including France’s Zaccharie Risacher (2024), Italy’s Andrea Bargnani (2006) and Australia’s Andrew Bogut (2005). American Larry Bird, the Boston Celtics icon, was drafted sixth in 1978.
Flagg, a native of the small Maine town of Newport, first gained national attention after leading Nokomis Regional High School to a state title as a freshman in 2022. He later transferred to Florida’s Montverde Academy, where he became one of the country’s most sought-after recruits. After reclassifying to graduate high school a year early, Flagg played for one season at Duke University before declaring for the draft.
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Sources
• The Sporting News: Duke’s Cooper Flagg No. 1 pick by Mavericks makes NBA Draft history not seen since 1977
• ESPN: The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built Cooper Flagg
• NBA: All-Time NBA Draft History
• Indiana University: 1976-77 Men’s Basketball Roster
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