Duke freshman Cooper Flagg has taken the basketball world by storm.
The Newport, Maine, native has quickly risen to the top of the college basketball scene, putting together a stellar season with the Duke Blue Devils and positioning himself as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Flagg’s rapid ascent is a product of hard work, dedication, and natural talent, but his family — particularly his parents — has played a significant role in shaping his game.
Who Are Cooper Flagg’s Parents?
Ralph and Kelly Flagg are the parents of three sons: Hunter, Ace, and Cooper.
Flagg’s mother, Kelly, played college basketball at the University of Maine, where she was instrumental in leading the team to four NCAA Tournament appearances. She was part of the squad that upset No. 7-seed Stanford in the 1999 NCAA Tournament’s first round.
His father, Ralph, also has a basketball background, having played at Eastern Maine Community College.
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The Flaggs were a topic of conversation during Duke’s ACC tournament matchup against Georgia Tech when Cooper suffered an ankle injury. ESPN commentator Cory Alexander made an unusual remark about their reaction.
“You can see, of course, tremendous concern on the faces of Ralph and Kelly Flagg, Cooper’s parents,” Alexander said. “But I can tell you one thing, they are most concerned about the Blue Devils winning this game.”
Flagg’s Rise to Stardom
Flagg was a standout at Montverde Academy, where he established himself as one of the nation’s top young talents.
He committed to Duke and has dominated in his freshman season, averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. His performance has been crucial in leading the Blue Devils to a No. 1 ranking with a 30-3 record.
As speculation grows about whether Flagg will declare for the NBA Draft or return for another year at Duke, one thing is clear — his parents have been key supporters throughout his journey.