Cooper Flagg of Nokomis drives previous Falmouth’s Judd Armstrong throughout the Class A state championship sport in Portland on March 5. Ben McCanna/Employees Photographer
Earlier than he ever performed a varsity sport, Cooper Flagg was the discuss of Maine highschool basketball. In what virtually actually shall be his solely season enjoying in Maine, the freshman surpassed the hype and stamped himself as one of many state’s greatest ever.
Cooper Flagg
Flagg displayed a variety of abilities whereas main Nokomis to a 21-1 file and the Class A championship – the college’s first boys’ basketball state title. Off the court docket, he confirmed an unflappable skill to deal with unprecedented statewide media consideration at simply 15 years previous. Flagg is the clear alternative because the 2022 Varsity Maine boys’ basketball Participant of the Yr.
“All the eye he received at that younger of an age, it was actually spectacular how properly he dealt with it,” stated Nokomis Coach Earl Anderson.
At 6-foot-8, Flagg produced a bevy of highlight-reel dunks. However it’s his all-around sport, his skill to deal with the ball, arrange teammates and his defensive consciousness that set him aside. He averaged 20.5 factors, 10 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, 3.7 blocks and made 62 % of his photographs.
Commercial
“Mentally, I matured lots all through the season,” Flagg stated, “simply engaged on not getting upset with the referees and realizing time and rating and the kind of issues which you could solely get by means of expertise.”
Since the highschool season ended, the swirl of pleasure round Flagg has elevated.
He and his twin brother, Ace, introduced they are going to switch to Montverde Academy, a non-public college in Florida that has received six of the final 10 nationwide highschool basketball championships. Seven Montverde alums have been chosen within the 2021 NBA Draft, together with No. 1 general choose Cade Cunningham.
The Flaggs’ Maine United AAU group, coached by former Mountain Valley legend Andy Bedard and their mom, former UMaine participant Kelly (Bowman) Flagg, was invited to affix the Nike-sponsored Elite Youth Basketball League.
Cooper Flagg was invited to the USA Basketball Junior Nationwide Staff minicamp, one of many first instances he had competed up in age in opposition to elite gamers.
Commercial
“Taking part in the highest guys within the junior class, who’re going to be seniors and virtually going to school, they’re way more bodily constructed and prepared than you’re. It’s extra of a reminder that you’ve got work to do to progress.”
After spectacular early April performances with Maine United, Flagg has obtained scholarship gives from Iowa and UCLA.
Flagg’s older brother, Hunter, additionally performed for Nokomis this season as a senior. The group’s solely loss, to Brewer early within the season, was avenged later within the common season, then once more within the Class A North ultimate in entrance of a packed Augusta Civic Heart, 68-58, as Flagg scored 19 of his 27 factors within the second half.
“The second that stood out for me was after the Northern Maine championship and being within the locker room and celebrating and everybody was hugging and it was actually nice,” Flagg stated. “I don’t actually know why, however that meant extra to us. We sort of had one thing in opposition to Brewer in our heads.”
Nokomis completed robust, beating Falmouth, 43-27, at a virtually sold-out Cross Insurance coverage Enviornment in Portland. Flagg knew it could in all probability be his final sport in Maine. The household had already utilized for the twins’ acceptance to Montverde.
Commercial
He was the dominant presence at each ends of the court docket. His size, anticipation and skill to protect Falmouth’s perimeter threats and nonetheless recuperate to be a presence within the paint flustered and annoyed the Navigators. When his first few outdoors photographs didn’t drop, Flagg went to work inside and completed with 22 factors and 16 rebounds.
“He’s so good. It’s his athleticism,” stated Falmouth Coach Dave Halligan after the sport. “He can guard on the perimeter. He can guard inside. He’s a type of generational gamers who comes alongside simply as soon as in a really seldom.”
« Earlier
Associated Tales
Invalid username/password.
Please verify your electronic mail to substantiate and full your registration.
Use the shape under to reset your password. Once you’ve submitted your account electronic mail, we’ll ship an electronic mail with a reset code.