The True Story of Cooper Flagg and His Family’s Impactful Initiative to Help Families and the People Who Supported Them

In the rolling hills of rural Maine, where winters are long and basketball courts often double as community centers, a quiet revolution is taking place. At the center of it all is a young man who, despite the spotlight, has never let fame cloud his purpose.

Cooper Flagg, the basketball phenom projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is known to the world for his dominance on the court: his high-flying blocks, effortless three-pointers, and an intensity that belies his age. But back home in Maine, Cooper and his family are being recognized for something far more enduring than stats or accolades—a commitment to using their platform to uplift families in need, strengthen community bonds, and pay forward the support they received on their journey to the top.

Their initiative, called The Flagg Foundation, has become one of the most talked-about grassroots movements in the Northeast—blending sports, service, and community outreach into a mission that’s changing lives, one family at a time.

Humble Beginning

To understand the Flagg Foundation, you first have to understand the Flaggs themselves.

Cooper was born in 2006 in Newport, Maine, a small town with a population under 2,000. His mother, Kelly Flagg, was a standout college basketball player at the University of Maine. His father, Ralph, a steady and soft-spoken man, worked locally and coached youth basketball. Cooper is one of three boys, and from an early age, all of them lived and breathed the game. But basketball was more than a sport in the Flagg household—it was a lifeline, a source of structure, discipline, and connection in a region that often struggles with economic hardship and limited opportunities for youth.

“When you live in a small town like this,” Kelly once said in an interview, “you realize early on that community is everything. We’ve had hard times. We’ve had to lean on neighbors, family friends, coaches, and teachers. That’s why, when Cooper started gaining attention, we felt this responsibility—to give back what was given to us.”

A Meteoric Rise

Cooper’s rise to national attention was unlike anything Maine basketball had ever seen. As a freshman at Nokomis Regional High School, he averaged a near triple-double and led his team to a state title. His viral highlight reels quickly drew the attention of scouts, and by age 16, he transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida—one of the most prestigious basketball schools in the country.

There, he continued to rise: dominating elite tournaments, starring for Team USA at the FIBA U17 World Cup, and ultimately committing to play for Duke. He was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year and unanimously projected as a future NBA franchise player.

But while most teenagers might get swept up in that kind of attention, the Flaggs made a collective decision: they would use the platform to elevate others, especially families back home in Maine facing the same challenges they once did.

The Birth of the Flagg Foundation

The Flagg Foundation was officially launched in 2024, spearheaded by Kelly and Cooper with support from the entire family. Its mission was clear: to support underprivileged families in Maine through community-based programs that focus on youth sports, education, and family health.

“We wanted something real,” said Kelly during the foundation’s first public announcement. “Not just donations or scholarships, but programs that wrap around families—help them in every way possible.”

With seed money from sponsorships, early donations, and Cooper’s growing NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, the foundation began funding:

• Free youth basketball camps across rural Maine.
• Emergency support grants for families facing sudden hardships—job loss, housing insecurity, or medical crises.
• Academic tutoring and mentorship programs for student-athletes.
• Wellness workshops focusing on mental health, nutrition, and physical health for families.

One of their most powerful programs, “Court to Community,” brings together kids from underserved towns for weekly basketball sessions with life-skills coaching, hot meals, and transportation provided—all at no cost to the families.Giving Back to the People Who Gave First

The Foundation wasn’t just designed to serve—it was meant to honor.

The Flaggs were vocal in acknowledging the coaches, teachers, and volunteers who had supported them long before Cooper’s name trended on Twitter. As part of the initiative, the foundation created the “Community MVPs” grant, which awards $5,000 annually to local educators, coaches, and mentors who go above and beyond.

One of the first recipients was Coach Dan Hartley, who worked with Cooper in middle school and continued to mentor young athletes long after Cooper left for Florida.

“I’ve coached a lot of kids,” Hartley said at the award ceremony, “but the Flaggs? They never forgot anyone. The fame didn’t change them. In fact, it made them more determined to help.”

Real Stories, Real Impact

For families in Newport and beyond, the impact of the Flagg Foundation has been more than symbolic—it’s been life-changing.

Amanda Ray, a single mother of three in rural Piscataquis County, received support from the Foundation after her home was damaged by flooding. She’d been out of work, struggling to provide for her kids.

“Out of nowhere,” Amanda says, “someone from the Flagg Foundation called and said they wanted to help. They covered repairs, brought over food, helped my kids with school supplies—and just listened. They treated us like people, not a project.”

Another young boy, Jalen Santos, nearly quit basketball after his father lost his job. The foundation covered his team fees, bought him shoes, and even brought Cooper in for a surprise visit at a local scrimmage.

“It wasn’t just that Cooper showed up,” said Jalen’s coach. “It was the way he talked to Jalen—like he mattered. Like he belonged.”

Leading with Values

What makes the Flagg Foundation unique isn’t just its star power—it’s its structure. Kelly, who serves as executive director, insisted the foundation stay rooted in Maine. Its board includes local educators, social workers, coaches, and parents—not just corporate advisors.

“We didn’t want to become a big, detached charity,” Kelly explained. “This isn’t about PR. It’s about people. We’re small enough to know names and faces.”

And Cooper? He’s not just a figurehead. Even with the demands of elite basketball, he remains deeply involved—reviewing proposals, calling beneficiaries, and attending events when his schedule allows.

“There’s this narrative that athletes should ‘just play,’” Cooper said during a Q&A in Bangor. “But I don’t buy that. If you have a voice, use it. If you’ve been helped, help others. That’s what my mom taught me. That’s what Maine taught me.”

Looking Ahead

As Cooper prepares for the NBA, the Flagg Foundation is preparing to grow. New programs are in the works, including:

• A youth leadership summit connecting high schoolers with college athletes and professionals.
• A rural access initiative, bringing mobile health clinics and after-school programming to even more isolated towns.
• A national network that partners with other athletes from small communities looking to give back in their own hometowns.

Kelly and Ralph remain grounded, working from their home office in Newport. When asked if they ever imagined this kind of impact, Ralph just smiled.

“We always believed in Cooper,” he said. “But this… this foundation, these families—it’s beyond basketball. It’s legacy.”

A Legacy Larger Than the Game

Back on the court, Cooper Flagg continues to make headlines: game-winning dunks, highlight reels, NBA mock draft speculation. But in Maine, his legacy is already written—not in points or trophies, but in meals delivered, roofs repaired, scholarships granted, and kids who believe they can dream bigger because someone like them made it.

In a world where fame often leads to distance, the Flagg family chose connection. They built something lasting. Something local. Something real.

And maybe that’s the most remarkable thing about the true story of Cooper Flagg: that the bigger his name became, the harder he and his family worked to lift up the names that had always been there—quietly, faithfully, and full of hope.

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