Cooper Flagg, an American college basketball player for the Duke Blue Devils of the Atlantic Coast Conference, has been referred to by his fans and fellow players as “The Maine Event”.
This nickname did not come by chance, it is a result of his upbringing in the state of Maine, as well as its contribution to shaping him into the star that he is.
The Origin of Cooper Flagg’s Nickname
Born and raised in Maine, Flagg’s basketball journey began in his home state, where he quickly made a name for himself.
As a freshman at Nokomis Regional High School, Flagg averaged an impressive 20.5 points, 10 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game, Flagg can rightfully be referred to as “The Maine Event”.
In addition, Flagg became the first freshman ever to be named Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year while at Nokomis Regional High School in Maine. He also scored 22 points and hauled in an impressive 16 rebounds in a game against Falmouth High School, thereby helping Nokomis to win the class A state championship.
As if his playing history and stardom in Maine weren’t enough, Flagg’s parents have deep roots in Maine’s college basketball scene. While his mom, Kelly, played at the University of Maine, his father, Ralph, played at Eastern Maine Community College. His brothers have also played with Maine’s basketball team at one point or another.
Flagg on many occasions proved to be a true Maine native. When it was time to sign a shoe deal for his freshman year at Duke Blue Devils, he chose to sign with New Balance simply because of their ties to his home state of Maine.
In a game against Boston College that determined his chances of being drafted by the NBA earlier this year, fans came from Maine and its environs to support him.
Living Up to “The Main Event”
Despite the attention and acclaim, Flagg remains humble, his relentless work ethic and competitive spirit haven’t changed, even as his games reaches new heights.
Whether playing in high school gyms in Maine or under the bright lights at Duke, he approaches every game with the same determination that earned him his nickname.
KEEP READING: Top 10 NIL Deals in Men’s College Basketball
Flagg recognizes the meaning of his nickname. He also understands that his nickname came about as a result of sheer hard work and his rise to prominence.
Therefore, he understands that whether he remains as a player with the Blue Devils or gets drafted, he needs to continually improve his skills so that he does not disappoint his fans and the people of the state of Maine.
Don’t miss a moment of March Madness! Download your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket and stay on top of every game, matchup, and Cinderella story. Get yours now!
