Cooper Flagg Will Go From Wearing No. 2 At Duke To No. 32 In Dallas

There was no doubt who the Dallas Mavericks were going to take with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. Shortly after they were put on the clock, Duke star Cooper Flagg heard his name called onstage. Flagg was the top prospect in this year’s class by a wide margin after his sensational freshman season at Duke, and will join a Mavericks team filled with established stars that will be looking to compete immediately.

As he makes the move from Durham to Dallas, Flagg will also change his jersey number. After wearing No. 2 at Duke, Flagg will go back to the No. 32 he wore in high school as he begins his professional career with the Mavericks.

There’s a family tie to the number choice. No. 32 is the same number Flagg’s mother, Kelly, wore in high school. She wore it because Duke legend Christian Laettner was her favorite player, which created a full-circle moment when Cooper had to pick a different number when he joined the Blue Devils, as Laettner’s 32 hangs in the rafters at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

He switched to No. 2 at Duke because it also held personal significance, as he wore it to pay tribute to Donovan Kurt, a friend and teammate of his older brother who died from cancer shortly before Flagg committed to Duke.

“I wouldn’t be here without these people right here and all my people back home in Maine,” Flagg told ESPN while surrounded by his family shortly after being picked. They’re here for me, and I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Cooper will return to the No. 32 jersey that has been in the Flagg family for generations, and it’s safe to assume there will be a lot of No. 32 Flagg jerseys worn by the Mavericks later this year.

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Article by James Van Wickler