Cooper Flagg, Oscar Robertson Win Big at ESPYs

Cooper Flagg, after a standout freshman season leading Duke to the Final Four and collecting major player-of-the-year honors, won the 2025 ESPY for Best Male College Athlete and was the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. Flagg was also nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete, which was awarded to rugby player Ilona Maher. Dallas area athletes were prominent, with both Flagg and Scottie Scheffler—who won Best Golfer for a third consecutive year—receiving honors. NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Best Male Athlete, while gymnast Simone Biles took home Best Female Athlete. The ESPYs featured historic moments, including Oscar Robertson receiving the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his contributions to sports labor rights. Flagg did not attend the ceremony as the Mavericks ended his Summer League play early, a typical move for top draft picks.