The crisp Maine air carried echoes of cheers and laughter as the Flagg family converged in Bangor, their hometown stage for what felt like a homecoming and coronation all at once. The occasion: the induction of Kelly Flagg into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. But though the crowd no doubt expected the spotlight to fall on her son, NBA rookie Cooper Flagg, the day unfolded as a celebration of family — and none shone brighter than mom.
When Cooper landed back in Maine just ahead of the NBA preseason, the significance was not lost on him or his siblings: this was more than a reunion; it was a tribute to the roots that shaped them.Ace, Cooper’s twin, was already nearby as a freshman at the University of Maine, and their older brother Hunter was also in attendance. All five — Kelly, Ralph (their father), and the three sons — were together again, a complete unit the family calls the “Flagg Five.”
But as befitting the occasion, Kelly’s induction ceremony drew the attention. She had already carved a legacy: a standout at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, her home, and later a storied career at the University of Maine, where she was part of the only UMaine women’s team to win an NCAA tournament game. Her influence was felt not just in her own athleticism but in how she raised her sons, coached and mentored them, and built a home where basketball was a shared language more than a pursuit.
When the family gathered at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre, Kelly’s induction speech unfolded with warmth and pride. She spoke of her childhood, of shooting HORSE on the driveway, of rooting her sense of identity in Maine — where she learned the values of humility, community, and grit.) She told of being a coach, of leading her sons’ AAU teams, and of how her proudest title had become “mom.”) In front of Cooper, Ace, and Hunter, Kelly’s words held weight not only as homage to her own journey but as testament to the family foundation they all stood on.
Meanwhile, Cooper, fresh off being selected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, was not there merely as a trophy bearer — he was an active participant in the celebration. He made time to sign autographs for young fans before the ceremony, an act that delighted onlookersHis presence added polish to the moment, but it never eclipsed the momentum of Kelly’s recognition. Rather, it reinforced the symmetry of the event: the trophy son and mother honored side by side.
In many ways, Kelly had already begun to steal some of the spotlight. Transitioning from a 25‑year career as a sixth-grade science teacher in Newport to a new, more public role, she now also serves as a brand manager and guiding force behind Cooper’s rise.) The move to Texas and the demands of the NBA world have pulled her into a more visible orbit, but Kelly—always grounded in Maine roots—has approached the shift with humility. She has sought to balance ambition with sanctuary, turning herself into not just the parent of a star, but a star parent in her own right.
That balance was on display in Bangor. While Cooper’s ascent makes headlines, Kelly’s story resonated with deeper chords: the player who became mentor, the mother who became manager, the hometown daughter honored in front of the town she never forgot. Her induction was not just about her athletic resume; it was about how she built a community, how she raised children who still return to their roots, and how she remained unapologetically herself in the glare of media and fame.
The crowd, too, seemed to understand this dynamic. On this day, applause was as much for Kelly’s lifetime of contributions — to Maine sports, to her children, and to the community — as it was for Cooper’s bright future. In that sense, she became more than the quiet force behind a star: she was the star of the moment. As Cooper and his siblings watched from the front row, Kelly’s induction speech struck as both personal and communal, her identity intertwined with theirs but never overshadowed.
Of course, Cooper’s status brings its own gravitational pull. His trajectory has been meteoric: dominating at Duke, leading the Blue Devils through March Madness, and arriving in Dallas as a top rookie full of potential.) Yet even amid that ascent, he publicly credits his mother as his greatest influence. “She’s been there every step of the way,” he said on draft night. ) Beyond that, Cooper has often recounted how he never managed to beat her one-on-one — a humorous testament to her competitive edge and to the tight court battles they waged in their driveway. In developing him, she wasn’t just cheering from the sidelines but actively moving rebounds, pitching in drills, and shaping his mindset
The optics, then, of this reunion in Maine are noteworthy. Here was the basketball world’s latest prodigy returning to honor his mother, and in so doing, placing her center stage. Cooper may be the generational talent, but Kelly was the day’s emotional anchor. The event underscored how much the Flagg saga is as much about family identity as it is a highlight reel.
In the hours before and after the induction, moments with observers deepened the contrast. Young fans clamored for Cooper’s signature. Peers and community members talked about Kelly’s decades of service, of how she coached’s influence in local programs, and of how she left a trail of mentorship in small Maine towns. For many, Kelly’s story was more sustainable, more rooted, and more lasting than any single athletic feat.
At one point, Ralph Flagg — Kelly’s husband and the father of the Flagg Five — reflected on their early matchups. He recalled playing one-on-one against Kelly: “I’d let her shoot outside,” he joked. “If she drove to the paint, she’d beat me up.”That memory speaks not only to competitive love but to a shared foundation of basketball in the family DNA.
Kelly herself, always modest, refused to let the celebration become solely about herself. She repeatedly credit‑ed her community, her coaches, and the values of Maine for shaping who she is. But in the quiet humility of her words, and the fullness of her presence, she illuminated the event. Cooper may be the bright star of tomorrow, but on this Maine afternoon she was his North Star.
When Cooper and his brothers filed out alongside their parents, the applause lingered longest for Kelly. She walked off stage not as a secondary figure to her superstar son—but as a champion in her own right, whose legacy is woven through the success of the Flagg Five. In that moment, home had reclaimed its own spotlight, and mom had become its hero.
