ORONO, Maine — Twin brothers Cooper and Ace Flagg will lead a sold-out kids' basketball camp at the University of Maine this weekend.
It's an exciting opportunity for young basketball players in Maine to learn from the brothers, who won a championship with Nokomis Regional High School their freshman year before transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida. Their mom, Kelly Flagg, is a former captain of the University of Maine women's basketball team.
Cooper Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward, will be a freshman at Duke University this fall. He was USA Basketball's male athlete of the year in 2022 after leading the Americans to gold at the U17 World Cup, and was the Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Player of the Year, and a McDonald’s All-American in his final high school season.
This summer, Flagg was part of the select team invited to work out against the Olympic squad during their training camp and played well going against some of the NBA's biggest names. He's widely believed to be in the mix as the No. 1 pick in next year's NBA draft.
This weekend's clinic runs Saturday and Sunday inside Memorial Gymnasium on the UMaine campus in Orono.
"Throughout the two-day camp, Cooper and Ace Flagg and our coaches will offer tips and hands-on instruction, including lectures, fundamental basketball skills stations, contests, and non-contact games in a high-energy, fun, and positive environment," ProCamps, the company managing the clinic, posted on its website. "Campers will be placed in small groups by age to ensure that each child gets maximum instruction featuring a 10:1 maximum camper-to-coach ratio. The camp will be staffed by some of the area's top high school and college coaches."
The post said each camper would receive:
- a souvenir autograph from Cooper and Ace (item provided - outside items not permitted)
- a camp team photo with Cooper and Ace
- a limited-edition Cooper and Ace Basketball ProCamp t-shirt
- additional upgrades available during checkout
"Maine, we're coming home," Ace wrote in an Instagram post.
Kevin Durant, a two-time NBA champion and former Most Valuable Player who's currently 10th on the NBA's all-time scoring list, said he believes Flagg could be "one of the top players in the league for 15 years."
Durant made the comment on his "Boardroom" talk show after his longtime business partner Rich Kleiman asked him his thoughts on Flagg.
"The intangibles he has, his measurables, and his raw talent — I could see that through the TV," Durant said. "When you're 6'10" and can run up and down the floor like that and got the instincts with the basketball like that ... If you show up every day and be the best that you can be, I think Cooper Flagg could be one of the top players in the league for 15 years."
Cooper's Blue Devils will start their season against the University of Maine on Nov. 4 in North Carolina.