About this Episode
In this episode of Podcasty NBA, hosts Niko and Stella explore the compelling journey of Cooper Flagg—the consensus number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft hailing from rural Newport, Maine. They delve into how his small-town roots shaped his work ethic and fundamentals through family legacy and dedicated coaching relationships including Matt MacKenzie and Andy Bedard’s AAU program Maine United. The discussion covers key milestones such as early high school hype during COVID restrictions; collegiate success at Duke as one of the youngest players ever; standout performances against elite competition including USA Basketball camps; advanced statistical dominance; plus broader themes around loyalty, community pride, and perseverance amid economic challenges faced by his hometown. Based on Kirk Goldsberry’s comprehensive article published June 25th on The Ringer.
Article Discussed: "The Maine, the Myth, and the Legend of Cooper Flagg"
Author:
https://www.theringer.com/2025/06/25/nba/cooper-flagg-maine-nba-draft
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Episode Transcript
Niko: Welcome to Podcasty NBA! Today, we're diving into the fascinating story of Cooper Flagg, a basketball phenom hailing from a small town in Maine. It's not every day that the consensus number one pick in the NBA draft comes from such an isolated corner of the country.
Stella: Absolutely, Niko. Cooper Flagg's journey is remarkable not just because of his talent but because of how deeply his rural Maine roots have shaped him. Before he steps onto the NBA stage, he's spending time back home, grounding himself in the place that taught him work ethic and fundamentals.
Niko: Right, and what's striking is that while most top prospects are jet-setting across the country for workouts and media appearances, Flagg chose to train quietly in a Division III gym at Colby College with just his twin brother Ace and some local players. No agents or scouts—just pure basketball hustle.
Stella: That choice really highlights his connection to Maine. He even skipped 11th grade to fast-track to Duke at 17 but still wanted to come back to watch his old high school classmates graduate. It shows a strong loyalty and sense of community that's rare among elite athletes.
Niko: Speaking of community, Newport, Maine — where Flagg grew up — is a small town surrounded by natural beauty but also economic challenges like job losses over time. Yet despite these hurdles, it fostered a proud basketball culture that clearly influenced Flagg's development.
Stella: His mother Kelly Bowman Flagg was herself a standout player in Maine, even leading her college team to an NCAA tournament upset over Stanford in 1999. That legacy seems to have passed down through Cooper and his brothers, emphasizing competitiveness and coachability.
Niko: And then there's Matt MacKenzie, Flagg's longtime development coach who recalls how intense and focused Cooper was from day one. The twins locked in hard on training sessions starting as kids — no distractions or shortcuts — just relentless work on fundamentals.
Stella: "Really tough love" was MacKenzie's approach with them. If they showed anything less than full effort during workouts or defense for their AAU team Maine United, there were consequences like extra sprints. That discipline helped mold Cooper into a complete player.
Niko: "The legend really took off during a preseason ninth-grade game at South Portland High School," when word spread that this 6-foot-8 freshman was playing against top competition. His chase-down block and baseline dunk sparked statewide excitement — something rare for Maine hoops.
Stella: "It was almost like the entire state showed up," recalls MacKenzie. And Andy Bedard, another Maine basketball legend turned coach, saw young Cooper running the show even back in fourth grade — directing teammates with poise beyond his years.
Niko: "Bedard started Maine United AAU with Cooper and other local kids aiming for disciplined basketball rather than flashy highlight reels," which speaks volumes about their values: real reads, spacing, sacrifice, teamwork — all rooted in love for the game rather than hype.
Stella: "Cooper even moved from Montverde Academy back home after one year," choosing loyalty over big-name exposure. That summer of 2023 run to Peach Jam finals with overlooked kids from Maine put them on the national map — proving talent can come from anywhere.
Niko: "Flagg's rise continued with USA Basketball's select team scrimmaging against Olympic stars," where he impressed playing against NBA veterans like Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday. One memorable moment: a cold-blooded three-pointer followed by an acrobatic putback rebound against elite defenders.
Stella: "Josh Longstaff, assistant coach for Charlotte Hornets and fellow Mainer," noted Flagg’s mindset—he wasn’t just proving he belonged individually but carrying hope for his entire community that Mainers belong too.
Niko: "Flagg’s measurables are impressive: 6-foot-8, 220 pounds with fluid movement," but what sets him apart statistically is his youth combined with elite impact metrics like box plus-minus (BPM). His +16.3 rating ranks fifth among more than 7,000 college players over ten seasons!
Stella: "Even more remarkable is that he's the youngest player ever recorded at this level," entering Duke at age 17 after reclassifying early. His offensive skills matured rapidly too; after turning 18 mid-season he shot nearly 45% from three-point range while leading Duke’s top-ranked offense in points and assists.
'Niko': Defensively he's versatile as well—leading Duke in rebounds, steals and blocks—not because of sheer athleticism but due to exceptional game sense and competitiveness nurtured through years of disciplined training back home.
Stella: His upbringing involved constant accountability; if effort lagged during practice or games with Maine United coaches Kelly Bowman Flagg or Matt MacKenzie wasn’t acceptable—there were real consequences reinforcing work ethic.
Niko: And Kelly herself summed it up perfectly: “There are no little things” when it comes to basketball fundamentals or character building—and those values forged by smaller gyms but massive heart will stay with Cooper wherever he goes.
Stella: So as Cooper prepares for life in the NBA spotlight with Dallas Mavericks—the franchise hoping he’ll be their savior—he carries not only immense talent but also deep roots grounded in community pride and relentless dedication.
Niko: To wrap up: From rural Newport’s pine forests to Duke’s Final Four glory at age 18; from backyard driveway battles with twin brother Ace to scrimmages against Olympians—Cooper Flagg’s story is about grit meeting opportunity shaped by an unwavering connection to home.
Stella: Exactly right. His journey underscores how foundational values instilled by family coaches and community can create extraordinary outcomes—even when coming from places often overlooked by mainstream scouting pipelines.
Niko: Thanks so much for joining us on this deep dive into Cooper Flagg’s inspiring path—from The Ringer’s detailed profile by Kirk Goldsberry here on Podcasty NBA.
Stella: We hope you enjoyed exploring how heartland grit meets elite skillset shaping one of basketball's brightest young stars today. Until next time—keep loving the game!
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