Maine Native Cooper Flagg Selected With Top Pick in NBA Draft

Newport, Maine native Cooper Flagg was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brookyn, New York on Wednesday night.

Flagg enters the NBA after leading Duke to the Final Four in his lone season as a Blue Devil.

The 6-8 forward excelled in his freshman season, earning the John R. Wooden Award, which is awarded to the most outstanding player in college basketball.

Flagg, who will turn 19 on Dec. 21, grew up in Newport and played for Nokomis Regional High his freshman year of high school.

In 2022, Flagg, along with his twin brother Ace and older brother Hunter, led the Warriors to a Class A state title, the first-ever championship for the Nokomis boys' team.

Following his freshman season, Flagg, along with his brother Ace, transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida, a national high school basketball powerhouse.

He played there for two seasons before graduating early after reclassifying from the 2025 high school class to the 2024 class.

ESPN's coverage of the draft included footage from watch parties that were held in Maine to celebrate Flagg's accomplishment.

Watch parties in Flagg's hometown of Newport were held at the high school, a marina warehouse space on the shore of Sebasticook Lake, and at The Grove wedding venue and events center on Stetson Road.

Gov. Janet Mills issued a proclamation Wednesday, declaring June 25, 2025, "Cooper Flag Day" in Maine.

In a press release, the governor called Flagg "a source of tremendous pride for Maine."

Flagg used the release to say he's "proud" to call Maine his home state and "grateful for all of the support."

Here Are All the Awards Maine's Cooper Flagg Won at Duke

Newport native Cooper Flagg had one of the best freshman seasons we have ever seen in college basketball. Here's a closer look at the awards the Duke forward won.

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka