Jon Scheyer’s 2024-25 squad, already hailed as one of the most talented rosters ever assembled in Durham, just rewrote the record books in a way no college team has before. Five players. Five starters. Five NBA first-rounders.
From projected franchise cornerstones to clutch role players, this Duke starting five didn’t just survive the scrutiny of NBA scouts — they thrived under it. Here’s a look at the magnificent five, what makes them elite, and why this moment isn’t just historic for Duke… but transformative for the NBA.
⭐ 1. Cooper Flagg – #1 Overall Pick – Detroit Pistons
Position: Forward | Height: 6’9″ | Wingspan: 7’1″
Let’s start with the generational talent: Cooper Flagg.
The Maine native entered Duke with hype usually reserved for LeBron James or Zion Williamson — and somehow, he exceeded expectations. Flagg’s lone season in Durham was a basketball clinic in versatility, hustle, and pure dominance.
- Stats at Duke: 20.8 PPG | 9.5 RPG | 4.2 APG | 2.7 BPG | 1.9 SPG
- Draft Comparison: Kevin Durant meets Andrei Kirilenko
What set Flagg apart wasn’t just the numbers. It was the presence. He altered every game he played in — defensively, emotionally, tactically. Whether it was locking down the other team’s best scorer, soaring for a putback dunk, or firing up his teammates in crunch time, Flagg did everything.
Detroit now builds its future around him, and the Pistons faithful are buzzing like it’s 2004 again.
⭐ 2. Tyrese Proctor – #8 Overall Pick – San Antonio Spurs
Position: Guard | Height: 6’5″ | Wingspan: 6’8″
Few players in college basketball saw their draft stock rise more steadily than Tyrese Proctor. After two years of growth at Duke, Proctor bloomed into a complete NBA-ready point guard in year three.
- Stats at Duke: 15.2 PPG | 7.3 APG | 4.1 RPG | 1.5 SPG
- Draft Comparison: Jrue Holiday with shades of Malcolm Brogdon
Proctor orchestrated the Blue Devil offense with the poise of a veteran. His pick-and-roll decision-making, ability to stretch the floor, and commitment on the defensive end made him one of the most polished guards in the draft.
In San Antonio, he’ll slot in beautifully alongside Victor Wembanyama — a pairing that already has Spurs fans fantasizing about another dynasty.
⭐ 3. Mark Mitchell – #14 Overall Pick – Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Forward | Height: 6’8″ | Wingspan: 7’2″
Mitchell was often the glue that held this Duke team together — and NBA teams love glue guys who can defend four positions and hit timely shots.
- Stats at Duke: 13.6 PPG | 6.8 RPG | 1.1 BPG | 37% from 3
- Draft Comparison: OG Anunoby
What made Mitchell unique was his ability to adapt. Need a corner three? He’s there. A chase-down block? Done. A crucial switch onto a point guard in the final minute? No sweat.
Portland sees Mitchell as the perfect complement to their young core. He brings defensive flexibility and a mature, winning mentality that should translate immediately.
⭐ 4. Jared McCain – #18 Overall Pick – Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Guard | Height: 6’3″ | Wingspan: 6’4″
Charismatic. Fearless. Deadly from deep. That’s Jared McCain in a nutshell.
- Stats at Duke: 14.9 PPG | 4.7 RPG | 3.1 APG | 41% from 3
- Draft Comparison: Seth Curry meets Tyler Herro
McCain was Duke’s emotional sparkplug all year, and his sharpshooting turned him into a fan favorite. But beyond the TikToks and the headband, there’s a real hooper here — one with limitless range and a feel for the moment.
Landing with the Lakers only adds to his mystique. Hollywood just met its next basketball personality.
⭐ 5. Kyle Filipowski – #24 Overall Pick – Miami Heat
Position: Center/Forward | Height: 7’0″ | Wingspan: 7’2″
The veteran leader of the squad, Filipowski returned for a second season to chase a title — and though that came up short, his leadership helped shape this team into a powerhouse.
- Stats at Duke: 16.2 PPG | 8.7 RPG | 2.9 APG | 1.4 BPG
- Draft Comparison: Domantas Sabonis meets Al Horford
A skilled big who can shoot, pass, and bang in the post, “Flip” became a Heat Culture favorite even before draft night. Erik Spoelstra will love Filipowski’s cerebral play and toughness.
He may not have the flash of a lottery pick, but watch him be the first among the five to start in a playoff game.
A Blueprint of Brotherhood: How Scheyer Built an NBA-Ready Machine
Jon Scheyer deserves a standing ovation. In just his third year at the helm, he did what even Coach K never did — send all five starters to the first round.
How?
- Balanced Development: Every player had a clear role. No one was overused. Each grew in his own lane.
- Pro-Level Offense: Duke ran an NBA-style attack — lots of ball movement, spacing, high pick-and-rolls.
- Defensive Accountability: They were one of the nation’s top defensive units, and it translated well to the NBA combine metrics.
- Culture Fit: Every one of these players wanted to win more than they wanted to go viral.
This wasn’t a team of mercenaries. It was a brotherhood with a shared mission.
Why This Changes the NBA Draft Landscape Forever
This moment isn’t just a Duke thing — it’s a college basketball thing.
Front offices across the NBA will be taking note of how this team’s system molded draft-ready prospects. High school stars will now look to Duke as the clearest NBA pipeline in the nation.
Here’s how it shifts the draft paradigm:
- One-and-done superstars like Flagg now see Duke as the ideal showcase.
- Multi-year players like Proctor and Flip gain NBA traction due to the Blue Devil spotlight.
- Team scouts may prioritize cohesion and coaching over raw athleticism.
Expect other bluebloods — Kentucky, Kansas, UConn — to chase the new Duke standard: five NBA-ready starters, one historic roster.
The Legacy Begins Now
This year’s NBA Draft wasn’t just a night for celebration in Durham — it was a coronation.
Cooper Flagg, Tyrese Proctor, Mark Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Kyle Filipowski aren’t just first-round picks. They’re the first starting five ever to be drafted in the first round — a feat as rare as a perfect March Madness bracket.
From the thunderous roars inside Cameron Indoor to the flashing lights of Barclays Center, these five Blue Devils turned potential into legacy. They’ll now go their separate ways, representing five different franchises, but they’ll always be bonded by that blue blood.
The banners in Durham might fade. The NBA jerseys will change.
But this? This moment?
This is forever.
2025 NBA Draft – Duke’s First-Round Five:
| Player | Pick | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Flagg | 1st | Detroit Pistons | Forward |
| Tyrese Proctor | 8th | San Antonio Spurs | Guard |
| Mark Mitchell | 14th | Portland Trail Blazers | Forward |
| Jared McCain | 18th | Los Angeles Lakers | Guard |
| Kyle Filipowski | 24th | Miami Heat | Forward/Center |
Final Word
Duke didn’t just dominate the draft.
They defined it.
For recruits, coaches, scouts, and NBA execs, this class is the new gold standard.
And for the rest of college basketball? Well, the message is clear:
