Cooper Flagg Bio: Net Worth, Stats, Personal Life and More

Cooper Flagg might project as a wing in the NBA, but at Duke, he played more like their floor general. Jon Scheyer, the Duke coach didn’t just use him off the ball; he trusted Flagg to control the tempo and get things moving. At times, the entire offense revolved around him, even without him handling the ball. Just having him out there shifted defenders and gave his teammates cleaner looks.

Now, there was some early-season chatter about whether the 6-feet 9 forward could make it rain from downtown. Fair concern. His three-point shot wasn’t exactly polished when he arrived at Duke. But by the time January rolled around, he found his rhythm, and that doubt vanished fast. From that point on, he was lights out. He wrapped the season hitting 38.5% from beyond the arc, which is legit.

Flagg was born in Newport, Maine, a town with a population of only 3,158 people. According to Basketball Reference, only two other people from Maine have played in the NBA, Duncan Robinson and Jeff Turner. Scouts rated Flagg the 3rd highest prospect in high school, and he committed to Duke in November 2023. He won the Hoophall Classic MVP award in 2023 while in high school. He was selected, like every top high school prospect, for the 2024 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. Following in the footsteps of LeBron James, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jayson Tatum, he won the Gatorade National Player of the Year in March 2024.

Flagg came out swinging in his Duke debut on November 4, 2024, dropping 18 points with seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a blowout over Maine. But the real jaw-dropper came on January 11 against Notre Dame. The Maine native exploded for 42 points on an absurdly efficient 11-of-14 shooting, breaking freshman scoring records for both Duke and the ACC. He also added six boards and seven assists that night.

He didn’t slow down, either. Flagg led Duke to a dominant 19–1 run in ACC play, securing the regular season title. Even in Duke’s narrow Final Four loss to Houston, he delivered 27 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.

By April, the freshman phenom declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. Along the way, he earned both ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.

Cooper Flagg Early Life

Cooper Flagg and his twin brother, Ace, were born on December 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine, to Kelly and Ralph Flagg. Kelly, who played Division I basketball at the University of Maine from 1995 to 1999, shaped her sons’ early development training alongside their older brother, Hunter.

From a young age, Ace and Cooper showed flashes of brilliance. They entered the AAU world in fifth grade, suiting up for Blue Wave Elite under Andy Bedard, a former college standout at Boston College and Maine. After sixth grade, Kelly made a pivotal move. She connected her boys with Matt MacKenzie co-founder of RESULTS Basketball and a longtime assistant at Husson University. MacKenzie had years of experience training young talent and had recently opened Eastern Maine Sports Academy in Bangor.

That summer before eighth grade, MacKenzie started throwing tougher competition at the twins lining them up against college-level players from the University of Maine. It wasn’t just about skills; it was about composure, pace, decision-making. Cooper soaked it all up. Scalabrine was running out of drills for Flagg because he'd perfected everything so quickly.

The next summer, MacKenzie brought in former NBA champ Brian Scalabrine for a second set of eyes. Scalabrine met the family again the following year in Massachusetts and invited Cooper to scrimmage with his group of Division I athletes.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Scalabrine didn’t tell anyone who Cooper was, just let him walk into a gym full of grown men. Flagg was in the crosshairs of D1 atheltes. But he didn’t flinch. According to Scalabrine, Cooper handled the moment like it was nothing. That’s when it became clear this wasn’t just another young prospect. This was a different breed.

If you're wondering how Cooper got that calm, composed edge, well, it started way before Duke. It was years of reps, pressure, and being thrown into the fire early.

Cooper Flagg Biography

Cooper Flagg, known as “The Maine Event,” is an 18-year-old forward standing 6-foot-9 and weighing 221 pounds. Born on December 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine, Flagg quickly rose to national attention for his all-around game and high basketball IQ. After starring for the Duke Blue Devils, he declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and is expected to make his league debut in the 2025–26 regular season. Despite his young age, Flagg’s presence on the court has already earned him comparisons to elite pros, and his early success has translated off the court as well.

Cooper Flagg Personal Life

Cooper Flagg’s journey didn’t start in a gym it started in a driveway in Newport, Maine. That’s where he, his twin brother Ace, and older brother Hunter battled it out in intense one-on-one games. The home where it all began has since been sold. Ralph and Kelly listed it in August 2023 for $375,000, eventually dropping the price to $329,900 before pulling the listing in October. The New York Times later confirmed it sold the following month, closing a big chapter in the Flagg family’s story.

Where the family heads next is still up in the air. Ralph and Kelly haven’t said whether they’ll stay in North Carolina, possibly waiting until Cooper’s NBA destination is official. Probably Dallas then, as the Mavericks have the 1st pick.

Meanwhile, Ace, his twin brother is going back to where it all began, he’ll play college ball for the University of Maine where the eldest Flagg, Hunter goes to school. While Cooper steps into the spotlight on the national stage, Ace will be writing his own story back home.

Cooper Flagg's Girlfriend

Cooper Flagg’s name is already all over hoops headlines, but now it’s popping up in the dating rumor mill, too. Social media’s been buzzing lately with talk that he might be linked to Wake Forest soccer player Lola Ressler. Neither Cooper nor Lola have commented on the speculation, but people aren’t letting it go. Lola’s got her own spotlight on the soccer field, while Cooper’s gearing up for the NBA after a standout year at Duke. Until one of them speaks up, it’s all whispers.

Cooper Flagg Parents

Cooper Flagg didn’t just stumble into basketball; it’s basically the family business. His parents, Kelly and Ralph Flagg, both played college ball and passed that love for the game straight down to their kids. They’ve been married since the early 2000s and raised their three sons in Newport, Maine.

Their first son, Hunter, was born in 2004, but heartbreak followed—his twin brother, Ryder, passed away just two days after birth. Two years later, Cooper and his twin, Ace, arrived, and the family’s basketball legacy kept growing.

Kelly had some serious game herself. Back in the late ’90s, she suited up for the University of Maine and helped lead them to their first-ever NCAA tournament win during the 1998–99 season. Upsetting Stanford and securing a place in the school's Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. She and Ralph met post-college and quickly clicked over their shared obsession with the sport.

These days, they’re still all-in—especially when Cooper hits the court. And yes, they’ve got their quirky rituals. In a March 2025 interview with PEOPLE, Kelly admitted she won’t sit anywhere but her usual game seat. Ralph? He straight-up avoids wearing any Duke gear on game days.

Cooper Flagg Net Worth

Cooper Flagg’s making headlines for more than just blocks and buckets he’s cashing in big time. At only 18, the Duke freshman is dominating the NIL game, raking in millions before even declaring for the draft. It’s wild how fast his value’s exploded, but honestly, with his hype? Not shocking if Bronny James can sign with Nike.

Back in October 2024, On3 pegged Cooper Flagg's net worth at $2.6 million and that was before he even played a game at Duke. Fast-forward to March 2025, and that number jumped to $4.8 million. That made him the top-earning college basketball player in the country and sixth among all NCAA athletes. He’s not just collecting any small time deals either but major deals which net him more than

Cooper Flagg Nil Deal

Flagg’s teamed up with major players like Gatorade, Fanatics, and New Balance. He’s even repping Cort Furniture and has a feature in The NIL Store’s “Hometown Hero” collection. His first big splash came in August 2024, when he passed on sneaker giants like Nike and Adidas and went with New Balance. It wasn’t just about the shoe; it was personal. The brand’s massive factory sits just a short drive from where Cooper grew up in Maine. That hometown connection? Can’t fake it.

Fast forward to October, and Flagg was everywhere. He popped up in an Instagram campaign with Cort Furniture, showing love to dorm setups for college students. That same month, Gatorade added him to its roster. It felt like a full-circle moment; he’d already made history in Maine as the first freshman to win the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year and later took home the national prize at Montverde.

Then January 2025 came, and boom Fanatics inked an exclusive, multi-year deal with Flagg, dropping his own Topps Bowman card to seal the collab. Duke legend Grant Hill even welcomed him into the Fanatics family with a hype video.

Most recently, Flagg joined The NIL Store’s “Hometown Hero” collection, linking up with LSU star Hailey Van Lith to rep their high school roots with custom merch.

Cooper Flagg Endorsements

Copper Flagg has signed various endorsements. His endorsements keep on adding as he is one of the promising candidates to get drafted in 2025. He has shown his amazing skills, which have led him to secure various deals. We have listed below the deals that he has grabbed.

• New Balance

  Cooper Flagg made headlines a year ago when he inked a groundbreaking five-year deal with New Balance. What made it stand out? The first year was built around NIL rights before he even turned pro. From the 2nd year onwards, it turns into the kind of endorsement package you’d usually see reserved for seasoned pros campaigns, branding, and likely some signature gear down the line.

• Gatorade

  One of the most notable additions to Cooper Flagg’s NIL portfolio came through his partnership with Gatorade. The deal made headlines not just for its significance, but because Flagg became the first men’s college basketball player to sign with the brand. As part of the agreement, Gatorade plans to include Flagg in various marketing efforts, positioning him alongside some of the biggest names in sports.

• Fanatics

  Kicking off 2025, Cooper Flagg locked in his first NIL deal of the year with Fanatics, the sports merch giant. Fanatics gained the rights to use his autograph and even game worn gear for collectibles, including trading cards.

• Cort Furniture

  Back in October 2024, Cooper Flagg teamed up with Cort Furniture, a company known for its rental services especially for college students. Cort spotlighted Flagg in an Instagram promo that centered on dorm room setups.

• NIL Store

  Cooper Flagg’s latest addition to his NIL lineup came through a partnership with The NIL Store, a platform where college athletes sell licensed merch.

Cooper Flagg Career

The top college prospect's rise has been nothing short of electric. Hailing from Newport, Maine, he made national noise at Montverde Academy in Florida, dominating elite competition with his two-way play. He was named National Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior and quickly became the top prospect in the 2025 draft class. At Duke, Flagg starred as a freshman, leading the Blue Devils to an ACC title and a Final Four run. His mix of skill, size, and basketball IQ made him a standout. After one season in college, Flagg declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, where he's expected to go No. 1 according to The Athletic.

Cooper Flagg High School Career

Cooper Flagg’s rise from Maine prodigy to national sensation is the stuff of basketball folklore. He started off at Nokomis Regional High, where he made history as the first freshman to win Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year. Averaging over 20 points, 10 boards, and stuffing the stat sheet on both ends, Flagg led his squad to a state championship, dropping 22 and 16 in the title game.

After his breakout season, Flagg took his talents to Florida’s Montverde Academy the gold standard for elite hoops. Even before suiting up, he made waves with the Florida Eagles in the Nike EYBL. At the 2023 Hoophall Classic, he grabbed MVP honors after a dominant performance against La Lumiere.

Though his first year at Montverde was more balanced averaging just under 10 points he exploded at the Peach Jam, posting monster stats: 25.4 points, 13 rebounds, nearly 7 blocks. Flagg then reclassified to the 2024 class and capped off his final high school season by leading Montverde to a perfect 34–0 record.

He didn’t leave empty-handed, either. Flagg was named Mr. Basketball USA, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, and Gatorade National POY.

Cooper Flagg College Career

Cooper Flagg wasted no time making his mark after enrolling at Duke in June 2024. By the season opener against Maine, he was already putting up 18 points, 7 boards, 5 dimes, and 3 steals. And that was just the warm-up.

By New Year’s Eve, Flagg cooked Virginia Tech with 24 points and 6 assists. The fireworks really popped on January 11, when he went off for 42 points against Notre Dame setting freshman scoring records for both Duke and the ACC. The kid was ridiculous from the floor, going 11-for-14 and nearly perfect at the line.

From there, he just kept stacking highlights big nights against UNC, Wake Forest, and Virginia. He became the first ACC player in 25 years to notch 500+ points, 100+ assists, and 30 blocks in a regular season. Duke rolled to a 19–1 conference record and snatched the ACC title, even after Flagg sprained his ankle in the tourney.

He came back strong in March Madness, dropping 30 on Arizona and helping Duke reach the Final Four. After the season, Flagg declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. Oh, and he snagged ACC Player and Rookie of the Year honors putting him in legendary company with Zion Williamson, Marvin Bagley III, Jahlil Okafor.

Where Will Cooper Flagg Get Drafted?

Against all odds, the Mavericks struck gold in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, jumping to the No. 1 pick with only a 1.8% chance. Now, all signs are pointing straight to Cooper Flagg. The Duke sensation has a private workout scheduled with Dallas on June 17, per ESPN’s Shams Charania and Jonathan Givony. But here’s the kicker neither Flagg nor the Mavericks are entertaining anyone else. No other prospects. No other visits. Just Flagg.

Dallas isn’t bluffing, and Flagg seems fully locked in. Barring something absolutely wild, the 18-year-old phenom is going to Dallas. This wouldn’t just be a big move it could shift the whole Western Conference landscape. Imagine the forward alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. The draft is set for June 25, but honestly, it feels like the pick’s already in. Cooper Flagg to Dallas? Yeah, that might be the start of something scary down in the Lone Star State after Luka Doncic got traded to the Lakers.

Cooper Flagg Awards and Achievements

Before turning heads in college, he helped Team USA win the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup. He wasn’t just along for the ride either. Flagg balled out, earning a spot on the All-Star Five. That tournament was his breakout moment on the world stage. Then in 2024, he became the only non-pro named to the USA Men’s Junior National Select Team.

Cooper Flagg Records

Cooper Flagg made an immediate impact at Duke, rewriting both school and conference record books. In a standout performance against Notre Dame, he scored 42 points, setting the highest single-game total ever by a Duke or ACC freshman. That same night, he made 16 free throws, the most by any first-year player in program history.

Throughout the season, Flagg continued to shine. He picked up multiple ACC Rookie of the Week honors and tied the conference record with 10 selections in a single year. He finished among the top 10 in the ACC across major stat lines, including points, rebounds, assists, and blocks.

How many NCAA Championships does Cooper Flagg Have?

While the Maine native has an impressive resume, it does lack one thing, and that is an NCAA Championship. But he did come close. Duke looked like a lock for the title game, with Cooper Flagg headlining what felt like a coronation tour. Most fans in the Alamodome were already dreaming of Monday night. But Houston had other plans and flipped the script when it mattered most in the semi-finals.

In a stunning twist, the Cougars closed out the game with a 9-0 run in the final 35 seconds. Final score? 70–67, Houston. Just like that, the Blue Devils’ season ended, not with a championship celebration, but in shock.