Cooper Flagg Bio
Cooper Flagg is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on December 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine, he rose from a small-town high school standout to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft. A versatile forward with the size, athleticism, and court vision of a modern two-way player, Flagg entered the league as one of the most decorated amateur prospects in recent memory.
Flagg first gained national attention as a freshman at Nokomis Regional High School, later transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida, and spent a single season at Duke University, where he earned consensus national player of the year honors. He is widely viewed as a foundational piece for the Dallas Mavericks franchise.
Early Life and Background
Cooper Flagg was born and raised in Newport, Maine, a small town in central Maine where basketball is a year-round passion. He grew up in a family with deep roots in the sport. His mother, Kelly Flagg, played college basketball at the University of Maine and served as team captain during her senior season. His father, Ralph Flagg, played NJCAA basketball at Eastern Maine Community College, continuing the family’s athletic tradition.
Flagg’s older brother, Hunter Flagg, played for the Nokomis basketball program and was a senior when Cooper was a freshman, giving the youngest Flagg a close look at the high school game. Cooper also has a fraternal twin brother, Ace Flagg, who played alongside him at Nokomis before transferring to Montverde Academy. The twins later separated when Cooper committed to Duke and Ace eventually committed to play at the University of Maine.
At Nokomis Regional High School, Flagg became the first freshman to be named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year. He averaged 20.5 points, 10 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game during that debut season. Nokomis won the Class A state championship that year, with Flagg posting 22 points and 16 rebounds in a 43–27 victory over Falmouth High School in the state final.
Path to Basketball
Following his freshman year at Nokomis, Flagg transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, one of the premier basketball programs in the country. He spent his final three high school seasons developing against top-tier national competition. During his first year at Montverde, he averaged 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and three assists per game, while playing on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit for the Florida Eagles in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.
Flagg’s national profile surged at the 2023 Hoophall Classic, where he was named MVP after scoring 21 points with five steals, five rebounds, and three assists in an 85–63 win over La Lumiere Academy. He was also a semifinalist for the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award. After his sophomore year, he reclassified to the 2024 recruiting class, accelerating his path toward college.
As a senior, Flagg led Montverde to a perfect 34–0 record and the program’s eighth national title, averaging 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game. He was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, Mr. Basketball USA, and the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, capping one of the most decorated high school careers of his generation.
Cooper Flagg Career
Early Career (2021–2024)
Flagg’s competitive career began in earnest during his freshman year at Nokomis Regional High School, where he led the team to a state title and earned statewide recognition. His performance on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit with Maine United further raised his stock. At the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup, he represented the United States and was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 9.3 points, 10 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 2.4 steals per game, helping the United States win gold. He was later named the 2022 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year, becoming the youngest player to receive the honor.
At Montverde Academy, Flagg developed into a five-star recruit and one of the top-ranked players in his class. He played in the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game and competed in the Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit, all major showcases for elite high school talent. These performances helped cement his status as the consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class.
Duke Blue Devils (2024–2025)
Flagg enrolled at Duke University in June 2024 and made his college debut against Maine on November 4, 2024, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a 96–62 win. He quickly became the focal point of the Blue Devils’ offense and defense, earning ACC Rookie of the Week honors on November 18. By late December, he was posting 24-point performances against Virginia Tech and SMU, signaling his arrival as a premier college player.
On January 11, 2025, Flagg delivered a record-breaking performance in a win over Notre Dame, scoring 42 points with six rebounds and seven assists. He shot 11-of-14 from the field, 4-of-6 from three-point range, and 16-of-17 from the free-throw line, setting new freshman scoring records for both Duke and the Atlantic Coast Conference. He continued to fill the stat sheet with regularity, recording 28 points against Boston College, 24 against Wake Forest, and a 21-point, eight-rebound, seven-assist performance in a rivalry win over North Carolina.
Flagg led Duke to a 19–1 conference record and the ACC regular season title. He also led the Blue Devils to the ACC Tournament championship, although a sprained ankle forced him out of the quarterfinals and kept him sidelined for the remainder of the tournament. Entering the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the East region, he posted 30 points against Arizona in the Sweet 16 and 16 points and nine rebounds against Alabama in the Elite Eight, before Duke fell 70–67 to Houston in the Final Four.
Dallas Mavericks (2025–Present)
Flagg was selected with the first overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA draft and signed his rookie contract on July 2, 2025. He made his regular-season debut on October 22, 2025, against the San Antonio Spurs, starting at point guard and finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and one steal. Mavericks fans quickly embraced him, shouting his surname during the national anthem at the lyric, “…that our flag was still there.”
On November 10, Flagg tied LeBron James as the youngest player to score at least 25 points in an NBA game, posting 26 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. On November 28, he became the youngest player to record 10 assists in a game, surpassing James by 18 years and 343 days. The following night, he scored a then-career-high 35 points in a 114–110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, joining LeBron James as the only players to score 30 or more points before turning 19.
After being moved from point guard to his natural forward position, Flagg’s production rose sharply. Over his next 15 games, he averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 51 percent shooting. On December 15, 2025, he scored 42 points in a 140–133 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 40 points in a game at 18 years and 359 days old.
Driving Style and Strengths
Flagg is a 6-foot-9 forward who thrives as a two-way player. He combines length and athleticism with high-level passing instincts, allowing him to operate as a point-forward in larger lineups. Defensively, his lateral quickness, shot-blocking timing, and rebounding make him a versatile anchor. Offensively, he excels in transition, attacks closeouts, and has expanded his perimeter shooting, as shown by his career-best 42-point performance against Utah.
Notable Events and Milestones
Flagg’s 42-point debut at Montverde’s senior night, his NCAA freshman record 42 points against Notre Dame, and his 42-point NBA game against the Utah Jazz each marked historic scoring milestones. He also became the youngest player to record 10 assists in an NBA game and the youngest to score 40 points, surpassing records previously held by LeBron James.
Cooper Flagg Career Wins
Flagg’s win totals span high school, international, college, and NBA competition, reflecting his consistent presence on winning teams. He won the Class A state championship at Nokomis, led Montverde to a perfect 34–0 record and the program’s eighth national title, and helped the United States win gold at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup. He also led Duke to the ACC regular season and tournament championships as a freshman.
High School and International Highlights
At Nokomis, Flagg’s state championship run as a freshman was the foundation of his winning reputation. At Montverde, he capped his senior season with an undefeated record and a national title. On the international stage, he was a key contributor to the United States’ gold-medal performance at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup, earning All-Tournament Team honors and USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year recognition.
College and Professional Highlights
Flagg led Duke to a 19–1 ACC regular season record and an ACC Tournament championship, reaching the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the East region. With the Dallas Mavericks, he has continued to contribute to a contending roster, posting a 114–110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers and several other victories during his rookie season.
Cooper Flagg Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in the Flagg family. Cooper’s mother, Kelly Flagg, played college basketball at the University of Maine, where she served as team captain. His father, Ralph Flagg, played NJCAA basketball at Eastern Maine Community College. His older brother, Hunter Flagg, played at Nokomis Regional High School, while his fraternal twin brother, Ace Flagg, has been a frequent teammate and later committed to play at the University of Maine.
Personal Life
Cooper and his twin brother Ace transferred together from Nokomis to Montverde Academy, and the family later relocated from Newport to Florida to support their development. Cooper signed a shoe deal with New Balance before his freshman year at Duke, a decision influenced by the brand’s two factories near his hometown of Newport, and he became the first men’s college basketball player to be sponsored by Gatorade. He remains connected to his Maine roots and family throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Flagg’s 2025 campaign began with his selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft and a smooth transition to the Dallas Mavericks. He opened his rookie year as a starting point guard, but the Mavericks shifted him to his natural forward position, where his production rose significantly. Across his first 22 games, he averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 51 percent shooting after the move, signaling a strong rookie trajectory.
His 42-point outburst against the Utah Jazz on December 15 placed him in the NBA record book as the youngest player to reach the 40-point mark. The Mavericks’ use of Flagg as a two-way forward has allowed him to influence games on both ends of the floor, and his early-season milestones against the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers highlighted his growth against veteran competition.
Looking ahead, Flagg is positioned as a long-term building block for the Dallas Mavericks. With a full NBA season ahead, additional development in perimeter shooting and playmaking could elevate him into All-Star contention. His blend of size, skill, and poise suggests a steep upward trajectory for the remainder of 2025 and beyond.