Mavericks take Cooper Flagg as top pick in 2025 NBA Draft
As widely projected, the Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — officially ushering in a new era for the franchise.
Flagg will give a new look at the Dallas franchise after the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to Los Angeles ahead of last season’s trade deadline. The Mavericks got a lot of backlash with that decision, but drafting Flagg—a highly touted prospect out of Duke—offers hope that brighter days are ahead.
The 18-year-old forward will join a retooled Mavericks roster that’s poised to compete right away. He’ll be joined by Anthony Davis, one of the league’s top two-way bigs, and Kyrie Irving, who just inked a three-year extension with the team. Klay Thompson also remains in the fold, bringing his signature shooting and veteran leadership.
Key rotation pieces like Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington is all expected to return healthy and ready to contribute. Meanwhile, Dallas is reportedly the frontrunner to sign D’Angelo Russell in free agency — a potential offensive boost while Irving works his way back from a season-ending injury suffered in the 2024 playoffs.
Flagg won’t just have talent around him — he’ll also have guidance. He’s set to be coached by Jason Kidd, one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game, now tasked with shaping Flagg into the league’s next franchise superstar.
Draft night got even sweeter for Flagg when two of his Duke teammates also landed in the Top 10. Kon Knueppel went 4th overall to the Charlotte Hornets, while Khaman Maluach was taken 10th by the Phoenix Suns — making it a landmark night for the Blue Devils program.
Now, the spotlight is fully on Flagg.
Can he meet the sky-high expectations and lead the Mavericks back into title contention? The answer begins to unfold this October when the NBA tips off a brand-new season.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).