The state of Maine, typically related to breathtaking nature and lobster rolls, is about to be entrance and heart at this yr’s NBA draft, as Cooper Flagg is anticipated to make historical past as the primary No. 1 choose from the Pine Tree State.
“It’s a very cool feeling, actually cool for me to undergo and type of have all of the help of Maine behind me,” Flagg advised NBC Information on the AT&T Flaggship Expertise occasion in New York Metropolis forward of the draft, which begins Wednesday night time.
“I really obtained to go dwelling for somewhat bit this summer time thus far, and simply seeing all of the help and seeing everyone was actually good for me, and it’s simply such a cool feeling figuring out that I’ve the entire state behind me, and it’s type of historical past that I’m having the ability to do.”
Flagg is from Newport (pop. 3,133), a city half-hour west of Bangor, identified not for its basketball gamers however for its pure magnificence. And no matter the place he’s drafted, Flagg will change into simply the third particular person born in Maine to play within the NBA, and the primary one to be drafted in 41 years. Illinois and North Carolina at present cleared the path with seven No. 1 picks every because the draft started in 1947.
“Extra than simply my household, my village of individuals again dwelling in Maine and my supporters who’ve type of carried me by way of all the things, and my supporters are actually vital to me and who I’m right this moment,” Flagg mentioned.
The Dallas Mavericks have the primary choose within the draft, however regardless of the place he finally ends up, Flagg will stay a Mainer to his core — ordering his lobster rolls chilled with mayo (versus the competing Connecticut model of heat with butter).
Maine basketball runs by way of the Flagg household. Flagg’s mom, Kelly Bowman Flagg, performed at Nokomis Regional Excessive College, the identical college each Cooper and his twin brother, Ace, received a state championship with, and she or he captained the staff on the College of Maine. Cooper’s father, Ralph, performed at Jap Maine Neighborhood Faculty. Ace at present performs for College of Maine.
Cooper’s basketball profession began with one-on-one video games in opposition to Ace and older brother Hunter within the household’s driveway in Newport. These video games generally resulted in fistfights.
Cooper, now 18 and 6-foot-9, says these video games and his upbringing are on the root of his aggressive drive.
“They taught us from a younger age, and simply taking part in 100% you realize, as arduous as you possibly can each single time, taking part in and giving your all to the sport. So I feel it’s type of the way you’re raised. And then you definately type of get that as you play extra extra within the driveway, and also you simply by no means need to lose to your brothers.”
In response to Ace, Cooper was similar to each different shy child rising up in Maine. “However when you will have a tight-knit neighborhood, like we did in Maine, that’s when you possibly can actually see him open up,” he mentioned. “We’re surrounded by our family and friends, and he actually comes out of his shell.”
Ace remembers when he and Cooper performed in a recreation on the Corridor of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, a yr after that they had moved to Florida to complete highschool. Their associates, household and members of the neighborhood drove three to 4 hours from Maine, filling up the highest part of the bleachers. “It was the loudest part within the constructing. In order that was unimaginable to see simply help once we hadn’t even been capable of see most of them for a yr at that time, and so they nonetheless confirmed full help.”
Flagg has maintained his connection to Maine all through his profession, particularly off the courtroom. Final August, he signed with New Steadiness due to the corporate’s presence within the state, together with a producing plant 25 miles from his hometown.
“The reference to New Steadiness as a household firm and an organization with Maine roots means quite a bit to me,” Flagg mentioned on the time. “That makes this actually completely different and particular. My mother used to go to the tent sale for back-to-school buying there once we had been youngsters. That basically aligns the model with my roots. It’s an ideal match.”
The AT&T Flaggship Expertise leaned into Flagg’s ties to Maine in an try to attach followers to his whole profession — beginning in his dwelling state. They featured his jerseys from Nokomis H.S. and AAU staff Maine United, displayed pictures and newspaper clips from his time in Maine and branded the activation because the “Maine Occasion,” referring to the “village” of help his mom, Kelly, typically refers to.
However it’s not simply Maine that’s behind Cooper — the fandom has unfold to all of New England.
Former Celtics participant Brian Scalabrine, now a commentator for the Boston Celtics — mentioned followers all through the area always ask him about Flagg.
“The entire state of Maine is behind him. New England is behind him,” Scalabrine advised NBC Information. “They love the truth that this child is out of the center of nowhere.”
Scalabrine notes that Flagg’s rise within the recreation offers hope to younger gamers across the nation who’re in distant locations. “Each child, white, Black, a child from Europe, wherever, is taking a look at like this child from the center of nowhere, and he’s turning into the No. 1 choose within the draft,” he mentioned. “He’s giving different folks the chance to suppose you possibly can come from anyplace and make it. You’ll be able to come from the center of Maine and develop your self into the No. 1 choose within the draft.”
Maine native and Boston Celtics fan James Little, 37, who was on the AT&T occasion mentioned: “He has the hopes of all the state using on his shoulders. This is without doubt one of the greatest issues to ever occur for our state shortly.”
Portland resident Marisa Veroneau, 43, additionally on the Flagg occasion on Monday, famous that even nonbasketball followers are enthusiastic about Flagg. “There’s fairly a little bit of buzz round city, Mainers are excited to see one in all our hometown youngsters on the prime of the draft. I anticipate Maverick jerseys to spike in these components quickly.”
