Newport’s Cooper Flagg Selected 1st in NBA Draft

UPDATE: Newport’s Cooper Flagg, as expected, was selected first in the NBA draft, chosen by the Dallas Mavericks.

Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed today, June 25, as “Cooper Flagg Day” in Maine. The 18-year-old Newport native is the youngest player chosen for the USA Basketball Men’s Select Team. He is expected to be chosen first in tonight’s NBA draft. The Dallas Mavericks hold that first pick.

Flagg was named both the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year as a freshman at Duke this past season.

In her proclamation Governor Mills said:

Cooper Flagg’s extraordinary talent and dedication to basketball has earned him national acclaim as perhaps the most promising player of his generation. He is a source of tremendous pride for Maine. I have proclaimed today as Cooper Flagg Day, so all the people of Maine can celebrate his achievement, hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship, which should inspire youth across our state to pursue their dreams with Cooper’s signature determination.

Maine-based New Balance, which has a partnership with Flagg, is celebrating “Cooper Flagg Day” by raising flags at its facilities in Norway and Skowhegan.

There are numerous draft parties planned throughout the area, including at The Grove in Flagg’s hometown of Newport, where ESPN will be live for the festivities.

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