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Suddenly, a video started playing of the Skowhegan factory, countless assembly lines within it and the process of a custom pair of basketball shoes being made. At one point, the father of one of Flagg’s former grassroots teammates — who still works at the facility — made an appearance. Then another worker shortly thereafter, proudly proclaiming that, “Cooper Flagg being from Maine and being the basketball prodigy that he is, it just gives you that sense of pride.” Eventually, the 53-second clip ended with a still shot of the gray shoes, with “FLAGG” stitched directly onto the tongue. As the lights came up inside the Four Seasons conference room, Lokesh pulled out his grand finale: The pair of custom shoes from the video, straight from Maine, still the only pair of Cooper Flagg New Balances in existence. “It was pretty cool to see that video and the Maine shoes and some familiar faces,” Flagg told The Athletic. “That meeting, going through their plans and kind of the future they saw for me, it just aligned really well with the future that I saw for myself.”
Maine Governor proclaims June 25 as 'Cooper Flagg Day'
Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed June 25, 2025, as “Cooper Flagg Day” to celebrate the Maine native’s remarkable basketball achievement. The 18-year-old from Newport, Maine, is universally projected to be the first pick in Wednesday night's NBA Draft.
Bobby Manning: Joe Mazzulla credits good chemistry between Maine's coaching staff and players for their success this year. Said Tyler Lashbrook has always been a good coach and went to Maine with an idea for how he wanted to coach them.
The Maine Celtics playoffs begin on Tuesday night against the Capital City Go-Go, and the Celtics’ G League affiliate will be bolstered by the addition of Jordan Walsh, who will be joining his former Maine teammates.
Blake Murphy: Ochai Agbaji (hip) is doubtful Saturday. Mogbo, Omoruyi, and the 2-ways will be with Raptors 905 for a Fri/Sat back-to-back in Maine.
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Bobby Manning: Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh joining Maine today, coming off the bench. Game airing now on NBCSB
Bobby Manning: Lonnie Walker can join Maine for some amount of time and receive a bonus or pursue other NBA opportunities. He told me earlier this training camp he was willing to begin the year in the G-League, as he didn’t have other NBA opportunities over the summer.
Bobby Manning: Sources: #Celtics waived Ron Harper Jr., Jay Scrubb and Hason Ward today. All three likely Maine bound. Lonnie Walker IV remains on the roster for now. Deadline to make a decision on him is 5PM on Saturday.
Lonnie Walker on playing in the G League this season: I'm perfectly fine with that
Lonnie Walker: “Brad Stevens mentioned there’s a possibility that I might spend some time in the G-League with Maine, and honestly, I’m perfectly fine with that … you gotta take it on the chin, you gotta continue to work, you gotta continue to be prepared and just keep being ready.”
As for Duke, they open the non-conference Nov. 4 against Maine (Flagg’s home state) at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and will also face Kentucky, Arizona and preseason No. 1 Kansas in November. While Duke is a projected Top-10 team, Rutgers is at No. 25 per ESPN with high hopes of a March Madness run. “We’re going to be better (than the Fab Five)!” Harper told NJ Advance Media at the time of his commitment. “Y’all should be excited. We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with. In my eyes, ain’t no team in the country better than us. Our goal is definitely the national championship. Definitely.”
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Bobby Manning: Clean injury report for the #Celtics regulars. JD Davison is now listed as out with his ankle sprain, however, and Jaden Springer remains out with a knee ailment that popped up after he played for Maine Tuesday.
This is where Cooper Flagg, the best high school basketball player in America, was raised. Cooper’s enrolling at Duke next season, before likely becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. At 17, the 6-foot-9 forward already has been named a McDonald’s All-American, the MVP of the annual NBA Players Association top-100 camp, and an all-star at the 2022 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, which he helped the United States win. A native Mainer hasn’t been drafted in 40 years, not since the New Jersey Nets selected Jeff Turner in 1984. Yet somehow, this town — “a place for people going other places,” as resident Earl Anderson calls it — has bred one of basketball’s brightest rising stars.
Cameron Tabatabaie: The Celtics have recalled Jordan Walsh from Maine
Bobby Manning: Just caught up with Neemias Queta after his game in Maine yesterday. He said he’s still dealing with ups and downs recovering from his foot stress fracture from the summer. He thinks he’ll be back to 100% soon.
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