For the first time in the history of American sports, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has reached a monumental milestone: producing the No. 1 overall pick in both the NFL and NBA Drafts in the same year. In an era where conference supremacy is often debated through championships, playoff appearances, and draft selections, this remarkable feat is a thunderous statement that reverberates across the college sports landscape. It’s a moment of pride, validation, and perhaps even a pivot point for a conference long seen as a basketball power and a football contender—now, the ACC wears both crowns simultaneously, if only for a historic instant.
The stars of this unprecedented achievement are quarterback Drake Maye and forward Cooper Flagg. Maye, the North Carolina Tar Heels’ prodigious signal-caller, was selected first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. A few weeks later, Flagg, the Duke phenom heralded as the most complete prospect since LeBron James, was chosen with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. Both athletes, though in different sports, carry a common theme: ACC excellence, talent cultivation, and generational promise.
Drake Maye’s ascension to the top of the NFL Draft board wasn’t always a certainty, but it was always a possibility. Bursting onto the scene in 2022, Maye displayed elite arm talent, poise under pressure, and a competitive drive that ignited North Carolina’s offense. Over his college career, he refined his mechanics, elevated his leadership, and became the engine of a program that had long been overshadowed in football by its basketball tradition. His resume is punctuated by dramatic comebacks, gaudy stats, and a Heisman finalist nod. While the Tar Heels didn’t make the College Football Playoff during his tenure, Maye’s presence alone kept them nationally relevant and electrifying.
The Patriots, reeling from the post-Brady era, saw in Maye a new beginning. With his uncanny accuracy, mobility, and calm under fire, Maye was hailed as the face of a franchise desperate for identity. In the days following the draft, New England’s fanbase erupted with optimism, and NFL analysts across the board agreed: the ACC had just produced a quarterback ready for the highest level, a cornerstone for years to come.
On the hardwood, Cooper Flagg’s journey to becoming the top NBA Draft pick has been as meteoric as it was inevitable. After reclassifying to the 2024 class, Flagg’s commitment to Duke sent shockwaves through the college basketball world. He arrived in Durham as the most hyped recruit since Zion Williamson, but what set Flagg apart was his all-around dominance. At 6’9” with guard-like agility, defensive instincts, and an elite feel for the game, he dismantled opponents with veteran efficiency. Whether swatting shots into the stands, burying clutch threes, or threading perfect assists, Flagg was everywhere—and Duke was better for it.
His freshman campaign was the stuff of legend. He led Duke to an ACC title, earned consensus National Player of the Year honors, and fueled a Final Four run. More than the stats, it was his aura—a calm confidence and killer instinct—that elevated him. By the time the NBA Draft rolled around, there was little doubt who would be picked first. The Detroit Pistons, in need of a savior, found their franchise player. The ACC had once again given the NBA its brightest new star.
To truly appreciate the weight of this achievement, it’s important to understand how rare such dual conference dominance is. The SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and Pac-12—each powerful in their own rights—have never managed to produce simultaneous No. 1 picks in both the NFL and NBA drafts. It’s a distinction that goes beyond coincidence; it speaks to the depth, quality, and versatility of talent development within the ACC. This is a conference that boasts storied basketball dynasties like Duke and North Carolina, but often gets overlooked in football conversations dominated by the SEC or Big Ten. Yet, here in 2025, it stands alone at the top.
And while Maye and Flagg are the headline acts, their rise is also a testament to the infrastructure around them. North Carolina football, under the steady guidance of Mack Brown and a forward-thinking coaching staff, maximized Maye’s gifts. The program embraced a modern offense, protected its quarterback, and gave him the platform to thrive. Meanwhile, Duke basketball, under head coach Jon Scheyer, seamlessly transitioned from the Coach K era and maintained its commitment to elite player development. Scheyer allowed Flagg to grow within a system, challenge himself against top-tier opponents, and carry the weight of expectations without being crushed by it.
Critics will argue that individual success doesn’t translate to conference supremacy. But that misses the point. Draft picks—especially No. 1 overall selections—are cultural moments. They represent the apex of player development, exposure, and opportunity. For the ACC, this isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s about rewriting the narrative. No longer can it be said that the ACC is only a basketball league. No longer can the conference’s football programs be brushed aside. The message is clear: the ACC can produce top-tier, professional-ready talent in every arena.
The ripple effects of this moment will be felt for years to come. Recruiting battles may tilt more in favor of ACC schools who can now point to tangible, historic results. Television networks, advertisers, and brands will take notice. And for the conference leadership, this dual triumph could not come at a better time. With the ever-changing landscape of college athletics—realignment, NIL debates, and playoff expansion—the ACC needed a win. Instead, it got two.
Maye and Flagg’s successes also offer a blueprint for future prospects. Their paths were different but rooted in commitment, resilience, and high-level competition. Neither chose to transfer or take shortcuts. Both trusted the process, believed in their coaching staffs, and embraced the pressure. Their stories are not just about talent, but about maturity, preparation, and execution. For young athletes, their journeys will serve as inspiration.
Of course, with greatness comes expectation. The NFL and NBA are unforgiving at the top, and Maye and Flagg will need to deliver quickly. But if their collegiate careers are any indication, the transition will be less of a leap and more of a natural progression. Scouts praised Maye’s pro-ready mental framework and film-room obsession, while Flagg has been called a “basketball savant” with the IQ of a ten-year vet. Their skillsets are modern, their attitudes are grounded, and their hunger is evident.
In the coming years, fans and pundits alike will revisit this unique moment in time. They’ll remember the year the ACC made sports history. They’ll recall the draft nights when Maye’s name echoed through Detroit’s war room, and Flagg’s smile lit up the Barclays Center. They’ll think of the press conferences, the jerseys held aloft, and the comparisons to legends. And they’ll know that both of these young men came from the same conference—one that dared to be great in both football and basketball.
