Meet 17-year-old Cooper Flagg, the top prospect in the NBA from Maine according to The Boston Globe.
Bedard, who relocated to Florida for his son’s enrollment in Montverde, mentions the constant presence of competition. He shares that when his son Cooper experiences a loss, he becomes upset and insists on a rematch.
According to Montverde coach Kevin Boyle, there was a single altercation within the team this year between Cooper and Ace, as expected. Teammate Liam McNeeley playfully explains that Cooper took Ace’s toy and Ace retaliated by taking back Cooper’s toy, showcasing their typical sibling dynamic.
The Flagg family grew up in Boston and Maine. The state is known for its love of basketball – if you’ve ever been curious about a deserted town, stop by during a high school basketball team’s state tournament game in Augusta, Bangor, or Portland.
The Maine basketball community has been talking about it for months.
The Flagg family is returning to their home in Florida. Kelly mentions that they did not bring all of their belongings with them. However, their collection of Celtics DVDs is still in their Chevy Suburban. Kelly also points out that she still has her Danny Ainge figurine, which was briefly in the possession of her son Cooper before making the trip to Florida with them.
“It’s exciting to have [Cooper] as a teammate because you never know if he’ll score 40 [points] or grab 28 rebounds,” Bedard explains. “It’s like a constantly changing menu at a fantastic restaurant. You know it will be amazing, but you never know what to expect.”
After a time of recruiting and consideration, Cooper ultimately decided to attend Duke University, following a visit to the University of Connecticut. This decision was not unexpected as he had previously mentioned it as his top choice and it was also the favorite team of Kelly, the person recruiting him.
Years later, as a second-grader, Cooper displayed a remarkable talent for basketball. Kelly knew how to convey her vision of the game to him. During their longer van rides to practices, she would play a DVD of the 1985-86 Celtics for the boys to watch. Cooper remembers, “At first, she had to convince us to watch it, but eventually it became a regular occurrence in our car. That team is unanimously considered the favorite of all time by everyone in Boston and New England.”
It’s most likely for the totem to be returned to her possession. Cooper is about to embark on his own journey. It’s unlikely that he will return to his home in Maine anytime soon, especially to play basketball. However, the entire state eagerly anticipates the places he will explore from this point on.
There will be many good and not-so-good days, but in the end, those experiences will be the most beneficial in preparing you for the next level.Duke, which has won five men’s basketball national championships, is arguably the most prestigious program in the country. Current NBA stars such as Tatum, Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, Dallas’s Kyrie Irving, and New Orleans’s Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram each spent a year there before making the jump to the pros.Flagg became a sensation this past summer with an otherworldly performance at Peach Jam, where he led Maine United to the final of the U16 division. With every pro and college scout worth his or her clipboard in attendance, Flagg averaged 25.4 points, 13 rebounds, 6.8 blocks, and 5.7 assists.
At a crowded press conference, a journalist inquires, “How many individuals do you currently have in attendance?”
“That must be a contributing factor,” Anderson chuckles. “You could be correct.”
Cooper Flagg’s rapid success has captured the basketball community’s interest. During the summer, LeBron James caused a buzz on social media when he pulled Flagg aside at the renowned Peach Jam AAU tournament to have a private conversation. NBA stars Steph Curry and Jayson Tatum also invited Flagg to their respective camps. In October, Flagg revealed his decision to attend Duke University in an exclusive cover story for Slam, a popular national basketball magazine.
Flagg didn’t just make the team, he emerged as its best player. During the championship game of the world cup in Malaga, Spain, he compiled 10 points, 17 rebounds, 8 steals, and 4 blocked shots, beating Spain’s team 79-67. “Barcelona was offering Cooper a contract to come play right now,” Scalabrine says.Kelly introduced her sons to the beloved sport of basketball that she and Ralph enjoyed, even before they were old enough to leave their cribs. She gifted them with a rattle in the shape of a basketball. Cooper quickly developed a passion for basketball and began playing in a recreational league with older children by the time he was in second grade. It didn’t take long for Ace to also become enamored with the game.
In November, Cooper was seen with his parents, Ralph and Kelly Flagg.
from kelly bowman flagg“Approximately 7,000,” Boyle, the coach of Montverde, interjects confidently.
Tatum was pleased to learn that Flagg would be attending Duke. Tatum praised Flagg as a talented and exceptional individual and believes that Duke is the perfect place for him. Tatum acknowledges that Flagg is still young and has much to learn, but that is precisely the reason why Duke is the ideal choice. At Duke, Flagg will have the opportunity to play on a renowned platform.
In the 2016-17 season, Jayson Tatum was playing at the same place where he was selected by the Celtics as the third overall pick in the NBA Draft. Tatum acknowledges that Flagg was likely more advanced than him at the same age. He also notes that he was not as physically capable when he started college and it took him longer to develop those skills. Tatum was impressed by Flagg’s size and talent when they played together at camp, but it was his toughness and competitive spirit that left the biggest impression on Tatum. He admired how Flagg fearlessly went after top players and attempted to block shots.
There are two common questions that arise with Flagg’s success: How skilled is he truly? And how did he achieve it?
During his seventh grade year, Cooper Flagg successfully completed his first dunk and soon after, his Maine team started receiving more significant opportunities. The team, now known as Maine United, was invited to participate in the highly exclusive Made Hoops East Coast circuit, which showcased top middle school teams from Toronto to Miami. According to Eric Hampford, the director of scouting for Made Hoops, not only did Cooper compete in the East Coast circuit, but he also excelled in the spring circuit, which included teams from the Midwest and South regions.Flagg chuckles, recalling the depth of her family’s Celtics fandom. Her family would tune into both the television and radio broadcasts for Celtics games, then turn down the TV so they could listen to Johnny Most call play-by-play. Kelly’s mom hung a full-size Larry Bird poster in the kitchen.
When the twins reached third grade, Kelly reunited with an alumnus from the University of Maine named Bedard. Bedard was forming a traveling youth team, also known as an AAU team, in Southern Maine. He still remembers going to a gym to watch Cooper play for the first time. “You know how youth basketball is,” he explains. “There are some talented athletes, some kids who struggle to make it past half-court, and kids with varying levels of skill. And then I saw this one kid walking to the back of the line and I thought, ‘That’s Cooper.'”
At the conclusion of that summer, Flagg had guided the US team to a first-place finish at the FIBA U17 World Cup. At the end of the year, he became the youngest person ever to be selected as USA Basketball’s Male Athlete of the Year.
According to Brian Scalabrine, a former player for the Celtics and current NBC Sports Boston broadcaster, Kelly is the ideal mother for a basketball player. Scalabrine, who has known Cooper since his time at Nokomis, recalls Kelly constantly reminding Cooper to focus on making the correct moves instead of just dribbling. She prioritizes making the best decisions on the court.The first answer is still being determined, of course, considering he turned 17 years old in December and will not play his first minute of college basketball for months yet. The conjuring of names like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson will perk up any basketball fan’s ears, but the 6-foot-9-inch Flagg’s skill set is more comparable to another Celtics champion, Kevin Garnett (whom Flagg himself has cited as an influence). Like a young Garnett, he plays with an endless reservoir of energy on both ends of the court.
The state has a few notable college athletes and experienced college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman has observed all of them. One of these athletes is Nik Caner-Medley from Deering High School in Portland, who scored 1,593 points while playing for Maryland from 2002-2006. Another is Cindy Blodgett, who was on the same team as Kelly Flagg for three years at the University of Maine and scored a total of 3,005 points. Previously, Goodman claimed that the top player from Maine he had seen was Ralph Mims from Brunswick, who had an average of 5.9 points per game while playing for Florida State from 2004-2008 and later pursued a professional career overseas. However, his opinion changed after seeing Cooper Flagg. Goodman, who has been evaluating high school players for over 20 years, states that no one else even compares to Flagg’s level of skill.
During the season, Cooper maintained an average of 20.5 points, 10 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game, guiding Nokomis to a 21-1 record and a state championship. He was honored with the title of Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
At the conclusion of Flagg’s second year in school, he was regarded as one of the top three potential players in his grade. By the end of the next summer, he was seen as one of the most talented prospects in recent years.
In spring of 2020, Cooper and Ace are rejoicing their victory in the Sheriff’s Cup Tournament.
from kelly bowman flagg“On his initial possession, he went towards the right and encountered some difficulty,” Scalabrine remembers. “He faked a shot, causing the defender to lose their position. He then elevated with his right hand, took one or two steps, and with his elbow above the rim, he successfully dunked the ball with his left hand off the backboard.” The entire gym fell silent. “Usually, you would expect a reaction like ‘Oh, [expletive]!’,” Scalabrine adds. “But you could hear a pin drop in that moment.”
However, numerous individuals remain present even after the game has ended. Approximately 70 individuals, many of whom are sporting Duke merchandise, gather near the court’s perimeter, anticipating the appearance of Cooper and Ace. Some children carry pens, hoping to obtain an autograph. Similarly, some adults also hold out for an autograph.
Cooper admits that it was a significant amount, but ultimately, it was a necessary sacrifice for the opportunity we were pursuing.
After being crowned state champions in March 2022, the Flaggs have experienced a hectic period. In the same month, it was no surprise when the family revealed that Cooper and Ace would be attending Montverde for their sophomore year of high school. Montverde follows a national schedule, much like a Division 1 college program.
I mention to Kelly that her personal involvement in basketball likely aided her in guiding Cooper’s journey, but she disagrees. “I’m happy it appears that way. However, I truthfully had no clue what we were doing, and I believe much of it was just fortunate circumstances and gaining knowledge as we went.”
Cooper, Hunter, and Ace, the brothers, celebrated their victory in the middle school championship game in Maine.
from kelly bowman flaggFinally, the two siblings make an appearance. They embrace Kelly, Ralph, and their loved ones. Cooper makes his way to the center of the court, while Ace engages in conversation with a smaller group on the side. For approximately thirty minutes, they patiently accommodate everyone before it is time to depart. Cooper signs an additional autograph for a fan wearing a Celtics jersey with Tacko Fall’s name on it, before making his way down a flight of stairs.
“I used to be a teacher and when school ended, I would quickly leave the building, gather the kids, hop in the car, order a pizza from Pizza Hut or another nearby place, pick it up on our way, and have the kids eat in the car since most places would be closed by the time we returned,” Kelly recalls. “We usually got back around 9 or 9:30PM. It was quite late for 10-year-old children. Those were some long nights.”
Kelly Flagg is currently preoccupied with various things, such as organizing the event, managing her family’s schedule, and creating a memorable experience for other residents of Maine. However, when I inquire about her experience raising her children, Cooper and Ace, in the small town of Newport (population 3,200) in central Maine with her husband, Ralph, she unexpectedly begins to talk about the 1985-86 Celtics.
The competitiveness of their AAU team was advantageous, as it was formed when the twins were in fourth grade. By the time they reached fifth grade, their coach Bedard noticed the need for them to compete in more challenging tournaments, even against older players in sixth and seventh grade. Bedard recalls with amusement, “We may not have won every tournament, but it was our young boys going up against opponents with beards. It was a great learning experience for them, much better than winning by a large margin and showing off a trophy on social media.”
After a brief moment of contemplation, he responds, “Around 7,000?”
The solution to the second inquiry starts in the city of Newport.
According to basketball analyst Jeff Goodman, he was the dominant player in every game last summer. Along with Brockton native AJ Dybantsa, they were the top two players at the Peach Jam. This could potentially lead to two consecutive years of having the number one draft pick from New England, which Goodman finds absurd. Flagg and Dybantsa, who is now in the class of 2025, recently faced off at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, with Montverde narrowly defeating Prolific Prep 76-71.
Skilled athletes have the power to ignite a basketball arena with excitement. However, only a truly exceptional player can bring about a hush in the crowd.
In the month of October, Cooper Flagg made a public announcement on the front cover of Slam magazine that he has committed to playing basketball for Duke University. Jayson Tatum previously played for Duke during the 2016-17 season before being drafted by the Celtics in the NBA Draft.
joanna fiona chattman/for the Boston GlobeFlagg’s impact was a symbol of his swift ascent to fame on a national level. Following his victory at Nokomis, he has consistently maintained his dominance, regardless of the opponents, obstacles, or location.
From my vantage point in the press box overlooking the court, I jot down my observations on my notepad: It’s undeniable. Every bit of it. He plays at a level far above the rim. Tenacious on defense. Even when he’s not near, opposing shooters can’t help but be wary of him. A selfless player with exceptional passing skills. While his shot could use some refinement, he has made significant progress according to reports. He is poised to become the top player on successful teams.
Although Nokomis supporters may have hoped for four high school titles, it was logical for Cooper and Ace – who has received numerous Division 1 offers and is highly sought after by UMaine – to venture outside of the state in order to fully capitalize on their potential. However, these recent games in Portland serve as a reminder that their departure from Maine does not mean they have abandoned their roots.
The twins have distinct personalities – Ace is outgoing and Cooper exudes a quiet confidence – but they share a strong determination. They compete fiercely in various activities such as basketball, fishing, Ping-Pong, and cornhole. Many attribute this drive to their mother, and I also believe this to be true. She even mentions that Cooper has never been able to defeat her in a one-on-one basketball game, although the last time they played was when he was in fifth grade and she had to stop early due to a knee injury.
It has been proposed that perhaps it was Kelly Flagg who showed him the ’86 Celtics tapes while they were in the car.
Ralph Flagg and Kelly Bowman, who would later become his wife, were both students at Nokomis Regional High School. Their twins and older son, Hunter, also attended the same school. Ralph went on to play basketball at Eastern Maine Community College, while Kelly was a standout player at Nokomis, scoring 1,257 points. In her senior year, she played for the University of Maine and helped the team upset powerhouse Stanford in the 1998-99 NCAA tournament. Nowadays, Ralph prefers to stay out of the spotlight, although it can be difficult at his towering height of 6 feet 9 inches. Kelly, on the other hand, stands at 5 feet 10 inches.
After entering Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, the Flaggs have noticed a line forming outside the building. The crowd is filled with people wearing blue-and-white Duke jerseys, some of which have “Flagg” embroidered on the back.
Cooper records 23 points, 10 rebounds, 8 blocks, and 5 assists in Montverde’s victorious 91-53 game. Any doubters in attendance surely became firm believers.
In August, following an exceptional summer, Flagg moved up to the ’24 grade level, effectively skipping a year of high school in order to accelerate his journey to college and the NBA.
After completing one season and winning a championship, it was time for the team to move on to a higher level, especially with Hunter’s graduation.
You can contact Chad Finn at [email protected]. Keep up with him on Twitter @GlobeChadFinn.
Bedard states that playing at Nokomis was comparable to a thoroughbred horse on a baseball field. Despite being named the Gatorade player of the year, Cooper Flagg’s potential was limited by the constraints of Maine basketball.
The following day, at the Portland Expo, Flagg showcases his skills again, scoring 29 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, making 2 steals, and blocking 2 shots – along with several impressive dunks – leading his team to victory over CATS Academy Boston. As he leaves the game with just over 3 minutes remaining, some spectators start to leave in order to beat an approaching snowstorm.
In March of that year, Maine United received an invitation to participate in the Elite Youth Basketball League, which is sponsored by Nike. This league is considered to be one of the top AAU and travel circuits in the United States for players who are 17 years old and younger.
Andy Bedard, coach of the Maine United AAU team and a former standout player for the University of Maine, praises the remarkable improvement of one of his players, the Flagg twins. Bedard, considered one of the best players to come out of the state, also notes that Kelly Flagg, who is both a coach and a former standout in high school and college, has also contributed to their success.
“The Flaggs have generously brought these games to Maine as a way to celebrate and say goodbye. Kelly acknowledges that this may be the final chance for Maine locals to watch Cooper play in his home state, as Duke does not have any upcoming games scheduled here and it is unlikely that the NBA will expand to Cross Insurance Arena in the near future.”
Ace and Cooper Flagg, who are brothers, are seen practicing with their teammates in Portland, Maine before the game.
joanna fiona chattman/for the Boston GlobeThe idea for the event was proposed by Chad Babel, the chief executive of Made Hoops, to Montverde coach Kevin Boyle and the Flaggs. Kelly Flagg was instrumental in organizing the logistics, including securing venues.
Prior to the Montverde team facing Gonzaga College High School, the announcer introduces Ace as the hometown hero from Newport, Maine. The loud cheers for Cooper overpower his introduction, and any fans who may have sat down are quickly brought back to their feet as he receives a pass from teammate Liam McNeeley. Cooper, along with five other Montverde players who are ranked in the top 50 in the country, starts off the game with a powerful dunk that shakes the rim.
His brothers and sisters quickly made a change. Cooper explains, “Growing up, Ace, Hunter, and I always talked about being able to experience one year of high school together. It was something we always looked forward to and had marked on our calendars.”
After learning from Bird, Parish, McHale, and others, Cooper Flagg has excelled in basketball and achieved an incredibly high level. He led Nokomis Regional High School to their first Class A Boys State Championship in 2022 at the age of 15 as a freshman. Despite being younger than most players, he was still invited to the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team minicamp.
Earl Anderson, the coach of Flagg at Nokomis, shares a similar assessment, speaking with a mix of pride and confusion. “I have a long history with basketball and there are only a handful of players I can recall who have the ability to elevate the game of their teammates,” he states. He references Magic Johnson and Larry Bird before adding, “Cooper possesses that special talent and skill.”
Flagg was a standout player at Nokomis High School, earning the nickname “Hollywood” from his teammates due to the increasing media coverage he received. However, it was challenging to accurately measure the extent of his skills. Referees in Maine high school basketball are known for being cautious, and even a brief hang on the rim after a dunk can result in a technical foul.
Following the game, the twins are undeniably overjoyed that they were able to put on a performance for their fans in their home state. “As we’ve matured and our circumstances have shifted, we rarely have the opportunity to visit our hometown,” Cooper expresses. “It holds immense significance for us to return, reconnect with everyone, and truly experience the unwavering support in the present moment.”
In the venue, there is a noticeable excitement as Montverde gets ready for their first two matches in Portland against highly-ranked opponents. This event is known as the “Maine Event” and features tables selling T-shirts with the slogan “In Flagg We Trust”. For every shirt sold, will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. By the end of the evening, the charity will receive ,000. Tickets for the games were sold out within 12 hours.
Cooper and Ace gained recognition in AAU, while the Flagg family eagerly anticipated the twins’ addition to their older brother Hunter’s varsity team at Nokomis. When they finally joined as freshmen in the 2021-22 season, Hunter was already a senior and the team had faced challenges, with a record of 3-15 the previous year.
In seventh grade, Cooper Flagg successfully performed his first basketball dunk.
joanna fiona chattman/for the Boston GlobeCooper Flagg was given a chance to not only compete for his state, but also for his country. He was selected as one of 48 players to attend the three-day minicamp for the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team in New Orleans. Despite being the youngest player invited, Flagg’s invitation was influenced by a recommendation from Scalabrine to his connections at USA Basketball. According to Scalabrine, there were doubts about Flagg’s ability to make the team due to his age of 15.The Flagg boys hit it off with Bedard’s son Kaden (who also plays at Montverde, on one of its lower-profile teams), and the family made the commitment to drive the hour-and-a-half from Newport to Portland — with the requisite Larry Bird Film Festival on loop — two nights per week to practice with the AAU team.
Brian Scalabrine will always remember the time when Cooper Flagg joined one of the elite pickup games that Scalabrine arranges and participates in in Boston. Scalabrine had not previously met the Flaggs, but had heard great things about Cooper. He was uncertain about the validity of these praises, but his doubts were quickly dispelled.
Kelly reflects on the challenges of losing a year of his childhood, but acknowledges that a lot has occurred during that time. He acknowledges that there have been moments of stress, but recognizes that it pales in comparison to the struggles others face. Despite this, he remains positive and sees it as a form of beneficial stress.
The journalist specifies the inquiry, stating that he is referring to the number of family and friends, not the overall number of attendees.
Flagg remembers having a figurine of Celtics player and current president of basketball operations Danny Ainge in fifth grade. Every day, Flagg would take the figurine out of their desk and place it on the right corner for the day.
The post Meet 17-year-old Cooper Flagg, the top prospect in the NBA from Maine according to The Boston Globe. appeared first on Americano Sports.
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