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The Journey to Stardom
DURHAM, N.C. — It’s 45 minutes after a January blowout at Cameron Indoor Stadium when Cooper Flagg, the 6-foot-9, 205-pound freshman, saunters into the gameday hospitality area for Duke basketball players’ families. With his head ducked and eyes peering out from under the hood of his brown sweatshirt, he looks like a monk about to receive some bad news. The atmosphere is relaxed, with games of Pop-A-Shot and pingpong ongoing, and tables filled with moms, dads, brothers, and sisters. Cooper’s mom, Kelly, playfully remarks, “We’re telling all your secrets,” but Cooper’s expression remains unfazed. He pulls out a chair and joins his older brother, Hunter, and his grandfather, Dan Bowman, who is wearing a shirt logoed with CAA, the mega-firm representing Cooper and other NBA stars like Chris Paul, Donovan Mitchell, and Paul George. This is the Flagg family, a tight-knit unit navigating the whirlwind of Cooper’s rapid ascent from a Maine schoolboy to a college basketball superstar.
The Spiraling Fame
The buzz around Cooper Flagg is relentless. Since his freshman year in high school, each subsequent year has flown by faster than the last. This season, in particular, has been a blur. At 17, Cooper is already the best current American-born NBA prospect, a status solidified by his standout performance against Team USA during a pre-Olympic training camp in Las Vegas. His potential has been so promising that he likely would have been the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft if not for the NBA’s age requirements. Now, as Duke’s leader, Cooper is not just placing himself among the program’s legendary freshmen but is on track to become one of the greatest individual seasons in college basketball history. Only two freshmen, Durant and Zion Williamson, have ever earned unanimous National Player of the Year honors, and Flagg is the odds-on favorite to join them. He leads Duke in points (19.5), rebounds (7.7), assists (4.0), and blocks (1.3) per game, and his name recognition dwarfs even his fellow lottery picks.
A Family on the Move
The Flaggs have made significant sacrifices to support Cooper’s basketball journey. They sold their longtime home in Maine in the fall of 2023 and moved to Florida, where Cooper and his twin, Ace, attended powerhouse Montverde Academy. After Cooper reclassified and enrolled at Duke, Ace transferred to Greensboro Day School for his senior year, securing a basketball scholarship to the University of Maine. The family now rents a home in Greensboro, a short drive from Duke’s campus, but Cooper rarely visits. During fall break, when most of his teammates went home, Cooper stayed on campus, opting to attend a Halloween barbecue hosted by Coach Jon Scheyer. This decision, while disappointing his mother, underscores his dedication to making the most of his college experience, knowing it’s a fleeting opportunity before the professional world takes over.
Balancing Fame and Youth
Despite his meteoric rise to fame, Cooper maintains a sense of normalcy. He attends classes—four of them, including an 8:30 a.m. writing course, a health & nutrition seminar, sports business, and a musical history course on the origins of hip-hop. However, his fame has forced him to adopt a second phone for school and NIL purposes, as he avoids giving out his personal number. On campus, he’s recognized everywhere, from airports to movie theaters. Yet, when he’s on the court, his youthful exuberance shines through. He regularly spins past defenders, scores off-balance, and winks at Scheyer, showing a blend of confidence and humility. This duality is what makes Cooper unique and why his teammates and coaches see him as a leader despite his age.
Embracing Failure and Growth
Cooper’s path to greatness hasn’t been without setbacks. After a perfect 33-0 record in his final high school season, his college career began with a loss to Kentucky, where he scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds but turned the ball over twice in the final minute, including a crucial mistake in a tie game. “Everyone was killing him,” recalls Duke assistant Chris Carrawell. Despite the criticism, Cooper handled the media aftermath with poise, understanding it as part of his responsibilities. This maturity was tested again recently when Duke lost to Clemson, and Flagg struggled, scoring just four points in the first 33 minutes. However, he rallied, scoring 14 points in the final six minutes, and took full responsibility for the loss, emphasizing his commitment to excellence.
The Future and the Present
Cooper’s potential is so immense that it’s hard to imagine a more promising young player in college basketball. His performances have earned him the label of “generational” talent, placing him alongside legends like Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, and Kawhi Leonard. Yet, for all the hype and pressure, Cooper remains grounded. He takes the time to hug the chefs who prepare his meals and thanks them for their hard work. When asked if he feels more like a college player or a professional athlete, he simply says, “I still feel like a kid. This is the only way I’ve ever known college. I really wouldn’t know how kids felt before, and if this feels different, if this feels more like being a professional. I mean, it’s the same thing for kids in high school, too, getting paid a lot of money. I don’t know. I feel pretty normal.” For Cooper, his time at Duke is about winning a national championship, and he’s putting everything else on hold to achieve that goal. As the season progresses, the world watches with bated breath, wondering what this young star will accomplish and whether he might etch his name in Duke’s history alongside the greats.
