Cooper Flagg Set to Join Mavericks After Just One Year at Duke — And He’s Already a Millionaire

It took just one season of college basketball for Duke phenom Cooper Flagg to solidify himself as the clear-cut No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. Now, after the Dallas Mavericks landed the top pick in the draft lottery, Flagg is poised to begin his pro career in Texas.

Last year’s top selection, Zaccharie Risacher, signed a four-year, $57 million deal, earning $12.5 million as a rookie. Flagg is expected to ink a similar rookie contract — projected at around $62.7 million — once the Mavericks make it official. But even with that massive paycheck coming, it won’t immediately match the fortune he’s already made through NIL deals while at Duke.

According to ESPN’s Howard Bryant, Flagg banked approximately $28 million in NIL endorsements during his lone college season. That includes a $13 million deal with New Balance and another $15 million contract with Fanatics.

The exciting part? Flagg is just getting started. With his NBA salary added to the mix — and his existing deals with New Balance and Fanatics still in effect — he’s set to significantly increase his earnings as a pro.

Needless to say, Cooper Flagg didn’t just dominate on the court at Duke — he won big off it, too. And now, he’s about to do the same in the NBA.

Inside Duke’s New Era

Inside Duke’s New Era: Jon Scheyer’s 2025-26 Roster Signals Youthful Rebuild and Bold Ambitions

DURHAM, N.C. — As Jon Scheyer enters his fourth season at the helm of Duke basketball, the Blue Devils find themselves at a fascinating crossroads one defined by immense youth, tantalizing upside, and a heavy dose of uncertainty. With most offseason moves seemingly finalized, the current 13-man roster offers a revealing glimpse into the identity of the 2025-26 Duke squad, one that will be built on the back of a top-tier freshman class, a few returning underclassmen, and only a couple of established veterans expected to play major minutes.

There are two open scholarship slots still available, but signs suggest that any late additions would likely be depth pieces either developmental scholarship players or walk-ons rather than needle-moving transfers or late bloomer stars. This implies that Scheyer and his staff are ready to go all-in on the current group, betting on upside, chemistry, and growth over time.

A Youth Movement in Full Swing

At first glance, the 2025-26 roster skews strikingly young. The 13-man squad features:

• 5 Freshmen
• 3 Sophomores
• 2 Juniors
• 2 Seniors
• 1 Graduate Student

But what jumps out even more than the age distribution is the absence of proven, high-level collegiate scorers. No returning Blue Devil has ever averaged double-digit points in a college season. That includes key contributors such as junior guard Caleb Foster, who projects to be one of the team’s offensive leaders, and senior forward Maliq Brown, a Virginia transfer known more for his energy, rebounding, and defense than for prolific scoring.

Despite this, Duke is widely expected to begin the season ranked inside the top 10 of the AP Poll, a testament to the talent and potential embedded in this youthful group most notably the elite 2025 recruiting class, headlined by the Boozer twins.

Freshman Class: The Foundation of the Future

Scheyer’s 2025 freshman group is nothing short of dazzling. This class, among the best in the country, includes three versatile forwards and two dynamic perimeter threats:

• Cameron Boozer (6-9, 245): A generational prospect and son of Duke legend Carlos Boozer, Cameron is a physically dominant power forward with polished footwork, a soft shooting touch, and elite rebounding instincts. He will likely anchor the frontcourt from Day 1.
• Cayden Boozer (6-4, 205): Cameron’s twin brother, Cayden is a strong combo guard with high IQ, excellent passing ability, and a tough-minded defensive motor. His maturity and leadership will be crucial for a young team.
• Dame Sarr (6-7, 190): A high-upside wing from overseas, Sarr brings creativity, length, and shooting range. Though still developing physically, he has the tools to become a matchup nightmare on both ends.
• Nikolas Khamenia (6-8, 215): A stretch-four prototype with a balanced inside-out game. Khamenia has strong instincts and could see significant minutes in the frontcourt rotation early.
• Sebastian Wilkins (6-8, 215): An under-the-radar name with a high motor and rugged build. He may not start immediately but has the potential to be a reliable rotation player over time.

This freshman class is expected to form the core of Duke’s identity, bringing intensity, versatility, and a modern, positionless brand of basketball that Scheyer continues to emphasize.

Sophomores Ready to Step Up

Three sophomores return with a year of experience under their belts and the potential to leap into larger roles:

• Isaiah Evans (6-6, 175): A long, rangy wing with a scorer’s mentality. Evans showed flashes of brilliance in limited minutes as a freshman and will be leaned on to stretch the floor and provide perimeter punch.
• Darren Harris (6-6, 203): One of the top shooters in his recruiting class, Harris offers elite spacing and could become a critical floor-spacer alongside the Boozer twins.
• Patrick Ngongba II (6-11, 250): A true center with strength and size. He’ll likely split time in the post and be counted on to protect the rim and rebound at a high level.

These three sophomores, particularly Evans and Harris, will be instrumental in bridging the experience gap between the freshmen and the upperclassmen.

Veteran Anchors: The Glue of the Roster

While Duke lacks a clear go-to veteran scorer, two experienced returnees will be vital:

• Caleb Foster (6-5, 202): A junior guard who started numerous games in his first two seasons. Foster is a poised floor general with scoring instincts and will be tasked with orchestrating the offense and mentoring younger backcourt players.
• Maliq Brown (6-9, 222): A rugged, do-it-all forward from Virginia, Brown brings defensive toughness and rebounding grit. Expect him to be a tone-setter in Duke’s frontcourt and a calming presence for the younger players.

Other upperclassmen, such as Ifeanyi Ufochukwu (6-11, 240) and graduate wing Cameron Sheffield (6-6, 204), offer depth and experience, though their roles may depend on matchup needs and development.

A Season of Discovery Ahead

There’s no sugarcoating it: this Duke team will face growing pains. With so many young players, early-season consistency will be hard to come by. But make no mistake this roster is absolutely loaded with talent. If Scheyer and his staff can develop chemistry and find the right rotations, the 2025-26 Blue Devils have Final Four upside by March.

Expect the Blue Devils to run, press, and shoot, leveraging their athleticism and versatility in a free-flowing style. And with Cameron Boozer potentially emerging as a freshman All-American candidate, the program may be on the brink of a new golden era.

Final Roster Snapshot (as of May 2025):

Freshmen

• Cameron Boozer (F) – 6’9”, 245
• Cayden Boozer (G) – 6’4”, 205
• Dame Sarr (G/F) – 6’7”, 190
• Nikolas Khamenia (F) – 6’8”, 215
• Sebastian Wilkins (F) – 6’8”, 215

Sophomores

• Isaiah Evans (G/F) – 6’6”, 175
• Darren Harris (G/F) – 6’6”, 203
• Patrick Ngongba II (C) – 6’11”, 250

Juniors

• Caleb Foster (G) – 6’5”, 202
• Ifeanyi Ufochukwu (C) – 6’11”, 240

Seniors

• Jack Scott (G) – 6’6”, 210
• Maliq Brown (F) – 6’9”, 222

Graduate

• Cameron Sheffield (G/F) – 6’6”, 204

Two scholarships remain. The future awaits.

One thing’s for sure: Duke Basketball 2025-26 won’t be defined by what it’s been but by what it’s about to become.