‘It Means a Lot’: Cooper Flagg Returns to Maine for Youth Basketball Camp
Cooper Flagg, fresh off being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, made a special trip back to his home state of Maine to give back to the community that raised him. Alongside his twin brother, Ace Flagg, the rising basketball star hosted a youth basketball camp designed to inspire and develop the next generation of players.
This marks the second consecutive year the Flagg twins have teamed up to run the camp, and their presence drew hundreds of eager young athletes from across the region. The brothers spent hours teaching drills, running scrimmages, and sharing lessons about the game — but perhaps more importantly, about discipline, hard work, and community.
For Cooper, the event was far more than a simple summer appearance. “It means a lot. I feel like that’s the whole reason we are here — to use our visibility to give these kids an unforgettable experience and try to give back to the community,” he said, surrounded by smiling campers and parents.
Ace, who is preparing for his freshman basketball season at the University of Maine, echoed his brother’s sentiment. “When we were their age, we had players we looked up to,” Ace said. “To now be in the position to be that example for them is really nice. It’s something I take seriously.”
The camp was also a moment of pride for their parents, Kelly and Ralph Flagg, who were in attendance to watch their sons in action. Ralph reflected on the memories of taking his own kids to basketball camps when they were younger. “It does bring back a lot of memories of bringing our own kids to camps,” he said.
Kelly added that the experience felt like a full-circle moment. “They remember being campers themselves and how fun it was to see the college players and interact with them. Now they’re the ones inspiring the next generation, and that’s really special,” she said.
For the Flagg family, basketball has always been more than a sport — it’s been a way to connect with people. Cooper and Ace made sure every camper left with not just improved basketball skills, but also a sense of encouragement and belonging. The twins made time for pictures, autographs, and personal conversations, ensuring no child left feeling overlooked.
While Cooper is preparing for the challenges of an NBA rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, and Ace is gearing up for college basketball, both brothers say this time together in their home state is invaluable. “Having this happen and being able to put a lot of smiles on these kids’ faces just means a lot. It’s definitely really refreshing,” Cooper said.
The camp also serves as a reminder of the brothers’ shared journey — from playing on local courts in Maine to pursuing basketball at the highest levels. For many of the young athletes in attendance, simply seeing someone from their own community make it to the NBA is proof that their dreams are possible.
Organizers say they plan to keep the camp going for years to come, and with the Flagg brothers’ commitment, it could become a staple in Maine’s basketball culture. The event has already begun to inspire a new wave of players eager to follow in their footsteps.
As the camp wrapped up, the smiles on the faces of both the Flagg brothers and the young players told the full story. This wasn’t just about basketball — it was about home, family, and planting seeds for the future.
