The Flagg Five Reunite in Maine — and Mom Steals the Spotlight From NBA Rookie Cooper Flagg

The late summer air in Newport, Maine, is a welcome balm. It’s a humid whisper of salt and pine, a comforting silence broken only by the chirping of crickets and the gentle rustle of leaves. For most, it’s a time to savor the fleeting weeks before fall. For the Flagg family, it’s a cherished return to a life of relative normalcy, a stark and grounding contrast to the whirlwind of NBA stardom that now follows their every move. The Flagg Five—Cooper, his twin brother Ace, older brother Hunter, and their parents, Ralph and Kelly—are back on home soil, breathing in the same air that nurtured the dreams of a generational basketball talent. But as much as the world has turned its eyes toward the Dallas Mavericks’ new cornerstone, a funny thing is happening: while the prodigal son returns, his mother is the one stealing the headlines.

The story of Cooper Flagg’s ascension is well-known. From a lanky phenom at Nokomis Regional High School to a national sensation at Montverde Academy, and then a one-and-done standout for the Duke Blue Devils, his path to the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft was a pre-ordained epic. He’s been touted as a player with the potential to redefine a franchise, a two-way force with a motor that never quits. When the Dallas Mavericks landed the top pick and made him their future, the basketball world held its breath. Flagg is now a professional, a player tasked with helping a championship-contending team led by Anthony Davis return to glory. His rookie season is a narrative of immense pressure, astronomical expectations, and the weight of a franchise on his shoulders. But off the court, it’s a different kind of narrative unfolding, one that features an unexpected and utterly captivating star: Kelly Flagg.

It’s been a busy few months for Cooper since the draft. He impressed in the Summer League, with projections from league insiders suggesting he could average upwards of 15 points, 8 rebounds, and over a combined two steals and blocks per game in his rookie campaign. His well-rounded game and defensive prowess are expected to translate immediately, providing the perfect complementary piece to the Mavericks’ superstar core. This is not the typical situation for a No. 1 pick, who often joins a rebuilding team with the sole mission of being “the guy.” Cooper is instead a crucial ingredient in an already potent recipe, a fact that both lessens the individual burden and intensifies the scrutiny. He is expected to perform from day one, to fit seamlessly into a winning culture, and to maintain the relentless competitive fire that got him here. He is handling it all with the quiet maturity that has become his trademark.

Meanwhile, back in Maine and in the digital ether, his mother, Kelly, is making a different kind of impact. She’s not scoring points or racking up steals, but she is winning over an audience with her unfiltered honesty and fiery protectiveness. Her most iconic, and perhaps most viral, moment came during the Duke-UNC game in Cooper’s freshman season. After Cooper delivered a thunderous dunk over a Tar Heels player, a camera caught Kelly in the stands, her face a mask of pure, unadulterated passion. Leaning into the row of rival fans, she appeared to scream, “On his f***ing head!” while gesturing emphatically. The clip exploded on social media, turning her into an instant legend for Duke fans and a villain for UNC supporters.

The moment wasn’t just a fleeting clip; it was a defining soundbite of her persona. She later doubled down on the sentiment in a public Facebook post that was equal parts apology and defiance. She acknowledged the language “wasn’t my best look,” but quickly explained it was a raw reaction to “classless” UNC fans who had harassed her family throughout the game. The post, in its unapologetic defense of her son and her candid admission of her own emotions, only amplified her celebrity. It wasn’t a canned, corporate response; it was a mother protecting her child, and the public loved it.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Her innate ability to steal the spotlight with a witty remark surfaced again on NBA Draft night. In a promotional interview, a video captured a lighthearted exchange where Cooper asks her why she married his father. Her deadpan response, which instantly went viral, was, “That’s why I married your dad—he was tall. I thought I could get some tall basketball babies.” It was a perfect encapsulation of her humor and the family’s grounded, no-nonsense approach to greatness. She wasn’t a helicopter parent; she was the architect of a basketball dynasty, and she wasn’t afraid to crack a joke about it.

The Flaggs, or the “Flagg Five” as they are affectionately known, are a family forged in competition and bound by an unbreakable loyalty. Their story is a blueprint for raising a generational talent while keeping him grounded. Both Ralph and Kelly Flagg were standout basketball players at Nokomis and later at the University of Maine. This shared history isn’t just a fun fact; it’s the foundation of their parenting philosophy. They understand the pressure, the grind, and the mental fortitude required to succeed at the highest level. They never sugarcoated anything for their kids. Kelly has openly said she would tell her children if their effort wasn’t there, believing that honesty and accountability were more valuable than empty praise.

This is a family that sees everything through the lens of competition. Whether it was on the court or just a friendly game at home, winning was the only option. This relentless spirit, instilled in Cooper from a young age, is what sets him apart. But their story is also one of immense heart. The family’s enduring support for the Ronald McDonald House is a testament to this. Their older son, Hunter, was born at just 24 weeks, and the family spent 109 days at the charity’s house while he was in the hospital. The experience left an indelible mark, inspiring them to create a website, “In Flagg We Trust,” to sell shirts and raise money for the organization.

The family reunion in Maine, therefore, is about more than just a break from the spotlight. It’s a chance to return to the rhythms of the life they knew before Cooper became a national icon. It’s a moment to reconnect with the community that first believed in him, the small town that saw the makings of greatness long before the rest of the world did. It’s a time for Ralph to get back in the gym with his sons, just as he has done since they were children, and for Kelly to be the same fiery, protective, and hilarious mother she has always been—albeit with a much larger and more adoring fan base now following her every move.

In a world of highly polished, media-trained athletes and their equally sanitized families, Kelly Flagg is a breath of fresh air. She is a reminder that behind the highlight reels and projected stats, there’s a real person, and behind that person, there’s a family with their own unique dynamic. Cooper Flagg may be the one with the multimillion-dollar contract, the NBA jersey, and the potential for a Hall of Fame career. But when he returns to Maine, and the “Flagg Five” are whole again, there’s no doubt who the real star is. She is the heart, the humor, and the fire that fuels the entire family, and as long as she’s around, the spotlight will always find its way back to mom.