Duke phenom Cooper Flagg is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and in doing so, he is set to make history, not just for himself, but for his entire home state.
Born and raised in Maine, Flagg is about to put the Pine Tree State on the basketball map like never before.
Cooper Flagg Set to Make Draft History for Maine
If his name is called first on draft night, Cooper Flagg will become the first No. 1 pick in NBA history from the state of Maine. This will bring national attention to a place rarely associated with basketball culture.
He will become just the third Maine-born player to reach the NBA, and the first to be drafted in over four decades. The only others to make it that far are Miami Heat sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, who went undrafted, and former NBA forward Jeff Turner, who was selected 17th overall by the New Jersey Nets in 1984.
“Just proving it doesn’t matter where you are from… you just got to believe in yourself.”
Cooper Flagg is helping put his home state of Maine on the map for basketball 👏 https://t.co/y2k8kjaVDl pic.twitter.com/rbPe3DUPCb
— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2025
In Maine, the Flagg name has become almost synonymous with basketball. Cooper’s mother, Kelly, was a standout at Nokomis Regional High School and went on to captain the women’s team at the University of Maine. His father, Ralph, also played the game at the college level for Eastern Maine Community College.
That passion for basketball carried into the next generation. Cooper and his twin brother, Ace, led Nokomis to a state title before their paths split. Ace stayed close to home at the University of Maine, while Cooper headed to Duke to chase national glory.
It did not take long for Cooper to make his mark. Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski called the 6-foot-9 forward the most talented freshman in Duke’s storied history after he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in his lone season with the Blue Devils.
Flagg looks ready to make his mark in the NBA. His talent has been widely praised, and the Maine native brings all the tools needed to succeed at the next level. The Dallas Mavericks, holding the No. 1 pick, are expected to select him.
RELATED: How Will Cooper Flagg’s Departure to NBA Affect Duke’s 2025-26 Outlook?
The NBA Draft will be held on Wednesday, June 25, at 8:00 p.m. ET, and it will be live on ESPN and ABC.
