The Newport native and Dallas Mavericks rookie became the first basketball player to win the award in nine years.

To add to the accolades, Flagg won ESPN’s ESPY award for the 2025 Best Male College Athlete on Wednesday afternoon. 🏀 @DukeMBB ➡️ @dallasmavs @Cooper_Flagg takes home the @ESPYS Best College Athlete - Men's Sports award! 🏆 @MarchMadnessMBB x @MFinalFour pic.twitter.com/7jYKl1r0BK

Cooper Flagg, fresh off a dominant freshman year at Duke, clinched the Best College Athlete ESPY. The Dallas Mavericks rookie, selected No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft, also secured Naismith and AP Player of the Year awards.