Cooper Flagg Bio
Cooper Flagg is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He began his high school career at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, Maine, before transferring to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, where he won multiple national high school player of the year honors as a senior. Ranked as the top recruit in the 2024 class, Flagg played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils, earning both consensus first-team All-American and consensus national player of the year honors as a freshman. He was selected with the first overall pick by the Mavericks in the 2025 NBA draft.
Early Life and Background
Cooper Flagg was born on December 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine. He initially attended Nokomis Regional High School, where he made a significant impact as a freshman. Flagg became the first freshman to be named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, averaging 20.5 points, 10 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game. His performance helped Nokomis win the Class A state championship, where he scored 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the state final against Falmouth High School. After his freshman year, Flagg transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, to further his basketball career. At Montverde, he played in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League for the Florida Eagles and was named the MVP of the 2023 Hoophall Classic. Flagg’s early achievements set the stage for his future success.
Path to Basketball
Flagg’s journey in basketball continued to flourish at Montverde Academy, where he averaged 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and three assists per game in his first season. He later played for Maine United in the EYBL, showcasing his skills and averaging 25.4 points, 13 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 6.9 blocks at the Peach Jam tournament. His impressive performances led him to reclassify to the 2024 recruiting class after his sophomore year. Flagg was selected to play in the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game and was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year. He finished his high school career with an average of 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game, leading Montverde to a perfect 34–0 record and the program’s eighth national title.
Cooper Flagg Career
Early Career (2025)
Cooper Flagg enrolled at Duke University in June 2024 to participate in the Blue Devils’ summer practices. He made his college basketball debut during Duke’s season opener against Maine on November 4, 2024, scoring 18 points with seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Flagg quickly established himself as a key player, earning Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rookie of the week honors shortly after. He continued to impress throughout the season, delivering record-breaking performances, including a game where he scored 42 points against Notre Dame, setting new freshman scoring records for both Duke University and the ACC. Flagg’s contributions led Duke to the ACC regular season title, and he was named both the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year, joining a prestigious group of players in conference history.
Breakthrough (2025)
Flagg’s transition to the NBA came when he was selected with the first overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA draft. He signed with the team on July 2, 2025, and made his regular season debut on October 22, 2025. In his debut, he recorded 10 points, 10 rebounds, and one steal. Flagg quickly made headlines by tying LeBron James as the youngest player to score at least 25 points in an NBA game at age 18 years and 324 days. He also became the youngest player to record 10 assists in an NBA game, surpassing James’s record. Flagg’s early performances showcased his potential, and he became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 40 points in a game, achieving this milestone at just 18 years and 359 days.
Notable Works and Milestones
Flagg’s signature work includes his record-breaking performances during his freshman season at Duke and his impressive start to his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks. His accolades include being named the National College Player of the Year and earning multiple awards during his time at Duke.
Cooper Flagg Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Cooper Flagg has received numerous nominations for his outstanding performances in basketball, particularly during his high school and college years.
Cooper Flagg Awards Won
Flagg has achieved significant recognition, including being named the National College Player of the Year and earning consensus first-team All-American honors. He has also received multiple awards during his high school career, including the Gatorade National Player of the Year and the McDonald’s All-American title.
Cooper Flagg Family
Cooper Flagg comes from a family with a strong basketball background. His mother, Kelly, played college basketball at Maine, where she was a team captain. His father, Ralph, played NJCAA basketball at Eastern Maine Community College. Flagg has a fraternal twin brother, Ace, who also played basketball and has committed to play at Maine starting in the 2025–26 season.
Personal Life
Flagg’s family relocated from Newport, Maine, to Florida after he and his twin brother transferred to Montverde Academy. He has signed endorsement deals with New Balance and Gatorade, becoming the first men’s college basketball player to be sponsored by Gatorade. His connection to New Balance is influenced by the company’s ties to his home state of Maine.
