Duke Blue Devils has been the prominent team this season worthy enough to lift the NCAA title. And with the bracket for March Madness out, the Devils’ No.1 seed in the East further solidifies it. To no one’s surprise, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel contribute majorly to the meteoric success of Duke. But just as time and tide wait for no one, as the season ends, NBA teams are expected to draft these two outstanding players.

This season, Flagg, considered the frontrunner for NPOY, averaged 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists over 32 games. The freshman has been a sensation and many NBA teams are out to snatch him. CBS Sports reports that the Washington Wizards will likely select Cooper Flagg, projecting him as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

However, former NBA star, Quentin Richardson, has advised Cooper otherwise. “If I’m Cooper Flagg, I’m not sure I want to go to the Washington Wizards,” Richardson said during an appearance on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” “That’s waiting on him, and that’s purgatory.” The Wizards recent performances have been nothing short of embarrassing, as they will miss yet another NBA playoffs this season. The last time they made it to the playoffs and won was in the 2016-17 season.

Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg overshadows his teammate, Kon Knueppel, but Knueppel is by no means inferior. The Guard has played 34 games averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. In the absence of Flagg, Kon stepped up and took the center stage against the Georgia Tech, scoring 28 points and 8 rebounds. “For Kon, he plays at a great pace. He has great size, which allows him to score over the top, or pass, and then you surround him with shooting still,” said coach Scheyer after the game.

He’s made a name for himself, forming a formidable duo with Cooper Flagg. However, despite that, he’s shown great temperament, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by the higher ups. Reports indicate that the Portland Trail Blazers will probably draft Kon Knueppel as the tenth overall pick in the NBA draft. Apart from them, there are several other players from the college basketball scenario who are in line for the draft pick, let’s take a look!

Top NBA Draft Prospects Beyond Duke’s Stars

Apart from the Duke Stars, there are several people who are in this contention, starting off with Dylan Harper. The 19-year-old is reportedly the overall No.2 draft pick by Utah Jazz. We all know he’s a rising shooting guard. And he’s nationally recognized for his downhill scoring, defensive prowess, and playmaking abilities, drawing comparisons to Jalen Brunson.

The freshman has averaged 19.4 points per game, even surpassing Cooper Flagg. Next up is Liam McNeeley, the UConn forward who has played an integral role in the Huskies’ success this season. People predict the Atlanta Hawks will draft Liam. And the Scouts? They could sense how Liam McNeeley’s sharpshooting and ability to handle the ball as a secondary playmaker will translate to the next level.

For now, all the players are busy focusing on March Madness, where they would only get one shot at glory. Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel have turned out to be game changers for the Blue Devils. But whether they chose to join the NBA or stay playing in the college scenario depends on the performance they deliver during the NCAA Tournament.