They say the NBA is the big stage, and Cooper Flagg’s just waiting for the curtain to rise. The Duke phenom dropped 19.2 points per game, snagged boards, dished out dimes, and still found time to rack up blocks and steals like a seasoned pro. Flagg made sure everyone knew. And if this is the preview, the NBA better be ready for the main event.

 After holding his own against NBA legends like LeBron and KD with Team USA’s Select Team, Flagg’s draft stock skyrocketed. He’s still the presumed No. 1 pick in 2025, thanks to that rare combo of polish, poise, and two-way brilliance. Now, after the NBA play-in tournament has been concluded, Sports Illustrated placed Flagg with Utah in its two‑round mock. Then Howard weighed in—instantly changing the narrative.

Dwight Howard, on his Above The Rim With DH12 Podcast, weighed in on his prospects joining the NBA. He said, “Well, you know what Cooper does fit Utah….  He went to Duke…  might be Mormon, you know.” jokingly adding that Cooper Flaggmay be Mormon, poking fun at the Jazz’s cultural ties. Dwight Howard touched upon the subject as the conversation revolved around the top prospects and the teams that might draft them. Commenting on Cooper, following the likes of Lauri Markkanen being of a similar build to Utah, spurring on his NBA career. 

Beckley Muir of Utah Jazz Wire notes Utah’s need for a two‑way forward: “Flagg’s versatility would slot beside Collins for years.” But the co-hosts of the show shifted the conversation to a different angle altogether. An angle not so favorable for Cooper Flagg.

The hosts now spoke of the future of the first draft picks in the NBA. “So many players that be the number one pick, and they get into the NBA and they never really find a rhythm. If you really think about how many number one picks actually win a chip, and be like a finals MVP, or just like win a chip alone….If you think of it, you did it,  Simmons,  Bron did it. Think about how many number one picks really won a chip?” stated the co-hosts.

Well, the co-hosts have a valid point. This has been a noticeable trend in the NBA as the first-round picks have had a bad track record with championships. Ever since the first draft in 1947, only 27% of number one picks have won the championships. And, only 13.5 have won with the teams that drafted them originally. 

It can be considered a curse, with only a handful of players winning the championship being the first pick in their drafts.  Now, you must be curious, wondering who those first draft championship-winning players are. Here is the list detailing the stars who have managed to stake a claim to their first-round pick status.

The first round picks who got it done

Let’s talk about No. 1 overall NBA picks who actually won championships—because not all top picks live up to the hype, right? Some guys delivered right where they were drafted, while others had to switch teams to find that ring.

First up: the legends who stayed loyal and got it done with the teams that drafted them. You’ve got Cazzie Russell helping the Knicks win in 1970, Kareem dominating with the Bucks in ’71 before becoming a Lakers icon, and Bill Walton carrying Portland to its only title in ’77. Magic Johnson and James Worthy? Straight-up Showtime legends, winning multiple rings with the Lakers. Then there’s Tim Duncan—five titles, pure consistency with the Spurs. LeBron finally brought a ring to Cleveland in 2016 (after a few in Miami), and Kyrie hit that Game 7 dagger to seal the deal. That’s 8 No. 1 picks who made it happen where they started.

Then there are guys who had to move on. Oscar Robertson teamed up with Kareem in Milwaukee. Shaq couldn’t win in Orlando but made up for it with the Lakers and Heat. Mychal Thompson joined Showtime as a role player, and Glenn Robinson hopped on with the Spurs for one. Bogut and Wiggins both found their rings with the Warriors. And of course, Anthony Davis got his first with LeBron in 2020.

Some big names didn’t make the cut. David Robinson technically qualifies with Duncan, but others like Elvin Hayes didn’t count due to weird draft rules. Then you’ve got the guys like Joe Smith or Kwame Brown who just never got there.

Bottom line: being a No. 1 pick doesn’t guarantee a title. Only about 20 have done it, and just 8 with the team that drafted them. The rest? Had to find the right fit somewhere else. Do you think Cooper Flagg has what it takes if the Jazz nab him?