In the tiny town of Newport, Maine, a basketball legend is being born. His name is Cooper Flagg, and at just 17 years old, he’s already being hailed as the next great hoops phenom. But Flagg’s story is about more than just raw talent – it’s a tale of grit, determination, and an unwavering dedication to the team-first principles embodied by his childhood idols, the 1985-86 Boston Celtics.
A Small-Town Prodigy Emerges
Growing up in Newport (population 3,200), Flagg fell in love with basketball at an early age. His parents, both former players themselves, nurtured his passion, teaching him the fundamentals and exposing him to grainy VHS tapes of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and those legendary Celtics teams. Flagg internalized their unselfish style of play, their relentless work ethic, their commitment to making the extra pass and diving for loose balls.
By middle school, Flagg was routinely dominating players years older than him. His coach Andy Bedard, a Maine basketball institution, knew he had something special on his hands. “I had never seen anyone like that,” Bedard recalled, “including in college basketball. And he was only 15.”
Proving the Doubters Wrong
Despite his prodigious talent, Flagg faced skepticism at every turn. A white kid from tiny Maine couldn’t possibly be that good, could he? Flagg silenced the doubters in gym after gym, his silky passing and ferocious defense leaving opponents slack-jawed. Even former NBA champion Brian Scalabrine was floored after playing with young Flagg, comparing his court vision to LeBron James.
“His learning curve is like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” Scalabrine said. “There’s not a challenge that he’s not going to be able to overcome.”
Shining on the National Stage
Flagg’s breakout moment came in the summer of 2023 at the prestigious Nike EYBL Peach Jam tournament. With NBA stars like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony watching courtside, the rising sophomore put on an absolutely dazzling display.
- Averaged 25.4 points, 13 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 6.9 blocks per game
- Posted triple-doubles in three straight games
- Had 38 points, 16 rebounds, 12 blocks in one outing
The basketball world was officially put on notice. Flagg reclassified to the class of 2025, committing to play for the Duke Blue Devils and legendary coach Jon Scheyer. Mock drafts pegged him as a future No. 1 overall NBA pick. But through it all, Flagg remained focused on honoring the small-town values and team-first mindset that shaped him.
Staring Down Team USA
In a storybook twist, Flagg’s rise reached its climax in a scrimmage against the US national team preparing for the 2024 Olympics. The only high schooler on the court, Flagg went toe-to-toe with the likes of Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis, burying clutch threes and throwing down rim-rattling dunks. His final stat line – 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals – was eye-popping. But it was the way he carried himself, the poise and unselfishness he displayed, that really turned heads.
“Playing one-on-one basketball doesn’t win games,” Flagg said afterwards, sounding wise beyond his years. “Playing as a team, for sure, does.”
From a tiny Maine town to the brightest lights basketball has to offer, Cooper Flagg has already traveled a remarkable path. But in many ways, his journey is just beginning. Armed with generational talent and an old-school commitment to making his teammates better, the 17-year-old phenom appears destined to accomplish incredible things – and to stay true to his roots every step of the way.
