Cooper Flagg hasn’t stepped onto an NBA court yet, but he already out-earned plenty of pros. The Duke star and projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft reportedly pocketed a staggering $28 million through NIL deals during his single college season.
Veteran journalist Howard Bryant revealed the figure during a sit-down with Bob Costas at “The 92nd Street Y.” Flagg signed a $13 million deal with New Balance and another $15 million deal with Fanatics before playing a game for the Blue Devils.
From NIL Goldmine To NBA Paycheck
Flagg entered Duke as the nation’s top recruit and backed up the hype. He led the Blue Devils to the Final Four and captured National Player of the Year honors. Despite the millions flowing in from endorsement deals, he kept his eyes on winning.
The Dallas Mavericks, who held less than a two percent chance to win the draft lottery, now plan to select Flagg with the top pick. Spotrac projects his rookie contract to be worth $62.7 million over four years, averaging just under $16 million per season.
Cooper Flagg reportedly made around $28 Million in NIL deals at #Duke pic.twitter.com/qllTEx4r49
— Out Of Bounds Network (@OutOfBoundsNet) June 3, 2025
That salary puts his rookie NBA paycheck right in line with what he earned at Duke. And in a twist that flips the script on amateur sports, Flagg may actually take a pay cut to go pro.
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For perspective, Celtics star Jayson Tatum leads the NBA with a $62.7 million average annual salary. In contrast, Grayson Allen, another Duke product, earned around $16 million this past season while averaging 10.6 points over 64 games for the Suns. Flagg signed with powerhouse agency CAA to help him navigate the endorsement world as he enters the NBA. He’s expected to continue building his brand with even more high-profile deals.
The Mavericks’ lottery win has sparked conspiracy buzz, with fans claiming it was a reward for trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg, ranked just behind Arch Manning as the second-most marketable NIL athlete, enters the league already ahead both on and off the court.
