Duke's Cooper Flagg Expected No.1 NBA Draft Pick From Maine, Making State History

Cooper Flagg, a rising basketball star from Maine, is anticipated to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, making history as the first top pick from the Pine Tree State and only the third NBA player born in Maine. Flagg comes from a basketball family; his mother, Kelly Bowman Flagg, played college basketball at the University of Maine and coached youth teams, while his father also played college basketball and has been involved in his journey. Flagg has shown respect for basketball legends, expressing a desire for Larry Bird to watch his NBA debut, highlighting his admiration for past greats. Maine native and University of Maine icon Thomas "Skip" Chappelle praised Flagg as the greatest thing to happen to basketball in the state, emphasizing the national attention Flagg has brought to Maine basketball. Despite Maine's modest basketball history, Flagg's extraordinary freshman season at Duke University and his upcoming NBA career signify a transformative moment for the state's presence in professional basketball. Flagg embraces his Maine roots, valuing his community's support and maintaining his identity as a Mainer regardless of his NBA destination.