In doing so, Cooper Flagg has already set himself as the near-unanimous favorite to go first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. ESPN BET offers odds as low as -50,000 for Flagg to suit. This confluence of factors has made him a near-lock to go first overall. The sportsbooks are reflecting this consensus, with odds varying across platforms, ranging from -10,000 at BetMGM to -100,000 at FanDuel.
Neil Walsh, a prominent figure in the betting industry, described Flagg’s odds as “highly unusual” and noted that they represent “as close to a certainty as our system can handle.” This undeniable level of confidence further emphasizes the hype around Flagg as he enters the NBA Draft.
As of Thursday, estimates indicated that just 10% of the overall bets wagered in the nascent market were on Flagg’s odds. This share indicates a profound disinterest in his prospects. Despite the high odds, Walsh observed that bettors remain engaged with the draft, stating, “Even at -100,000, our players are still using it as an engagement opportunity with the draft, and between singles and parlay legs, Cooper Flagg to be the top-pick is our most-bet market for tonight’s draft.”
Flagg’s overwhelming odds-on favorite status in the betting markets is an accurate representation of his commanding lead among other prospects. His nearest challenger, Dylan Harper, is in at -7,500, while VJ Edgecombe is 3rd in line with odds of -350. Such figures serve as a reminder of Flagg’s obvious superiority as he looks to enter the draft process.
During a recent sitdown with Malika Andrews, Flagg shared a rare look into his headspace. Here’s what he told us about how he positioned himself for this career-defining moment. He was sure of himself, sure of what was expected of him, and very tuned in to the moment.
“The pricing of Flagg to go Number 1 overall is a function of our expectations that he will almost assuredly be the pick.” – a trader for FanDuel
Flagg’s rise comes on the heels of last year’s draft when the San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama first overall. The stakes are high for Flagg as he aims to replicate that success and secure his place among the elite in professional basketball.
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