From a small town in Maine to the biggest basketball stages in the world, Cooper Flagg’s rise has been incredible. Imagine going from playing in high school gyms to sharing the court with NBA superstars before even stepping into college—that’s exactly what Flagg has done. Let’s dive into the journey that has made Cooper Flagg a global basketball sensation.
Cooper Flagg, the Star Athlete Who Dominated High School
Born on Dec. 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine, Cooper Flagg quickly showed he was destined for basketball greatness. As a freshman at Nokomis Regional High School, he averaged an eye-popping 20.5 points, 10 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game.
The National Freshman of the Year obviously@Cooper_Flagg 🏆 pic.twitter.com/bOhgD9eljQ
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) April 1, 2025
He led his team to a Class A state championship, dropping 22 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in the title game. This performance earned him the honor of becoming the first freshman ever named Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
Looking for greater competition, Flagg transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida. At Montverde, he played against the nation’s best, averaging 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game in his senior year.
He led Montverde to an undefeated 34-0 record and a national championship. Awards poured in: Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Player of the Year, and McDonald’s All-American honors.
In 2022, he played for Team USA at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, and despite being one of the youngest on the team, he was a force. He averaged 9.3 points, 10 rebounds (leading the team), 2.9 blocks, and 2.4 steals per game. His performance in the gold medal game against Spain was legendary: 10 points, 17 rebounds, eight steals, and four blocks.
This breakout performance earned him the 2022 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year award—the youngest player ever to win it. This put him in elite company with names like Kevin Durant and LeBron James, making it clear that he was destined for something big.
Fast forward to 2024, and Flagg was chosen to be part of the USA Basketball Men’s Select Team, training with the Olympic squad before the Paris Olympics. At just 17 years old, he was the youngest player on the team, practicing against NBA superstars.
During these sessions, Flagg went head-to-head with some of the league’s best, impressing coaches and players alike. Kevin Durant, one of the greatest scorers of all time, even praised Flagg for his composure and ability to hold his own.
Competing at such a high level at such a young age only further prepared him for what was coming next.
What’s Next for Cooper Flagg?
Choosing to play for Duke, Flagg made an immediate impact. In one of his first standout performances, he dropped 42 points against Notre Dame, setting a new scoring record for an Atlantic Coast Conference freshman. His all-around ability, combining elite defense, rebounding, and scoring, quickly made him one of the most exciting players in college basketball.
Flagg entered the 2025 season as the most highly anticipated freshman in college basketball, committing to the Duke Blue Devils. Expectations were sky-high, and he did not disappoint.
Flagg led Duke on a deep March Madness run, showcasing why he is considered a generational talent. His performances in the tournament were nothing short of spectacular. In the Sweet 16, he put up a monster double-double with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks, leading Duke past a strong Kansas team.
KEEP READING: Where Does Cooper Flagg Rank Among Duke’s Top 10 All-Time Greats?
Flagg’s list of accomplishments at Duke already includes the Oscar Robertson Trophy, NABC Player of the Year, and consensus first-team All-American honors.
With every game, Flagg continues to prove why he’s considered one of the best young talents in basketball. NBA scouts are already drooling over his potential, and he’s widely projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
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