Maine’s Cooper Flagg Shines as Duke’s NCAA Tournament Star

NEWPORT, Maine — Cooper Flagg, a highly touted freshman basketball player for Duke University, has captivated not only college basketball fans but also his hometown community in Maine. As the Blue Devils prepare for the NCAA Tournament, Flagg’s remarkable journey from high school sensation to a leading figure in collegiate basketball stands as a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.

Bill Nemer, a Newport resident and longtime high school sports coach, has become a flag-waving advocate for Flagg. Although he wasn’t a dedicated Blue Devils fan before Flagg’s commitment, that changed when he purchased a Duke flag to mark the occasion. Now, he never misses a game, showcasing a Facebook page filled with Flagg’s highlights and achievements. “This is the biggest sports story in Maine ever,” Nemer said. “And probably the biggest there ever will be.”

Flagg has taken the college basketball world by storm this season, leading Duke to a No. 1 national ranking and claiming the ACC regular-season title. His impressive performances and highlight-reel dunks have made him a frontrunner for the top pick in the upcoming NBA draft. “I watched him go through warmups the first time,” Nemer recalled. “And I knew.”

As Flagg’s profile has risen, so has the admiration from those who watched him during his formative years in Maine. Friends and former teammates, such as Kaden Bedard, reminisce about their time together. “I was amazed,” Bedard said. “The way he played at a young age, he had an understanding of the game that was rare.” Flagg, who first met Bedard at age seven, quickly established himself as a basketball prodigy, often facing opponents much older than him.

His accolades span back to his middle school days, where his coach, Josh Grant, likened him to a “deer running across ice” due to his unique combination of speed and coordination. Flagg’s high-flying dunks became the stuff of legends, as his brother Ace recounted, “He’d dunk it, and the kids on the other team would start clapping.”

Throughout his career, Flagg has displayed an insatiable hunger for improvement, frequently training with coaches who pushed him to refine his skills. “Cooper is the most competitive person I’ve ever been around,” said his trainer Matt MacKenzie. “He’s obsessed with winning.” Even when facing adversity, Flagg remained undeterred. A memorable moment occurred during a tournament game, where he played with a broken nose, demanding to get back on the court after injury. “He’s not one to shy away from competition,” Bedard said.

The intensity of Flagg’s competitive nature has also drawn criticism. His mother, Kelly Flagg, often encounters negative comments online questioning Cooper’s achievements. “It infuriates me,” she admitted. “Cooper has never wanted anything to come easily.” What remains a driving force for him, however, is his unwavering desire to prove doubters wrong.

As the NCAA Tournament approaches, Coach Jon Scheyer has lauded Flagg’s ability to seize crucial moments in games. “What he does, no one else in the country can do,” he said. With his reputation firmly established, Cooper Flagg is set to take the national stage, poised to further elevate his position in the basketball world.