When you hear the name Cooper Flagg, you think of high‑school phenom, maybe future NBA star. But lurking a few steps behind him is his twin brother, Ace Flagg — less heralded, less flashy, but quietly carving out a path of his own that might make him the real sleeper story.
Ace was born December 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine — the fraternal twin to Cooper. Their mother, Kelly Bowman Flagg, played college basketball at University of Maine (UMaine) and captained a women’s team that pulled off the program’s only NCAA‑tournament win. Their father, Ralph Flagg, also played at the junior‑college levelSo the environment these boys grew up in was steeped in hoops, competition, yard‑games, sibling rivalry. In fact Ace recalled that he and Cooper would turn the front yard into a battleground: “We couldn’t play a game in our driveway without someone bleeding… it was always fun.”
From the start, though, the trajectories were different. Cooper ascended quickly — national attention, elite camps, reclassification to join the 2024 class early, commitment to Duke University — while Ace took a more gradual route. The twins both began at Nokomis Regional High School (Newport, Maine), winning a Class A state title together as freshmen. Then both transferred to the national powerhouse Montverde Academy in Florida. At Montverde, Cooper’s star meteoric; Ace’s numbers as a junior: roughly 2.6 points and 1.3 rebounds per game in 27 appearances
In summer 2024 Ace transferred again — this time to Greensboro Day School in North Carolina for his senior year. The move signaled a willingness to step away from the shadow of his brother, to find his own space. Then on October 30, 2024 Ace announced his college commitment: back home to the University of Maine. He wrote simply “Coming Home #committed.”
So why does Ace matter? Why might he be the sleeper of the twin story?
First: physical tools and versatility. Ace is listed at 6‑foot‑8 (or 6‑7) and about 180‑190 lb That size, combined with his ability to play both forward spots, defend, rebound, pass, makes him a multi‑dimensional prospect. While he may not yet have flashed All‑American numbers, the raw elements are present.
Second: opportunity. By choosing Maine, Ace will play where he can immediately impact rather than ride the bench at some elite program. At a mid‑major, his minutes, responsibilities, development time could be far greater — and that gives potential for more visible growth. He’s coming into a program with deep familial roots (his mom’s alma mater) and a chance to make something meaningful.
Third: internal motivation and identity. Ace has openly discussed the notion of being “just Ace” and wanting to define his own narrative, separate from “Cooper’s twin.” For someone with talent who’s been overshadowed, that kind of personal fire can lead to big leaps.
Of course, being a “sleeper” comes with caveats. Ace has a lot of work to do. His high‑school stats were modest; at a place like Montverde — stuffed with elite talent — he was a role player. He must expand his offense (shot‑creation, range), become a consistent defensive presence, and show he can carry more than just potential. The spotlight will still compare him to Cooper; that twin comparison will follow him. Further, playing at Maine means fewer national spotlights; he’ll need to dominate to attract that attention.
Still: the timeline is clear. Freshman year at Maine (2025‑26) will be telling. Will he get meaningful minutes? Will he show statistical growth, rebounding, defense, efficiency? Will Maine’s program improve with his arrival? If yes — then the sleeper tag might give way to “legitimate breakout.”
In basketball, we often track the unicorn prospect, the one with top‑tier hype. But sometimes the more interesting story lies just beneath the hype — the player who grows quietly, builds steadily, defines himself on his own terms. Ace Flagg seems to fit that mold. He may not have the immediate splash of Cooper, but the combination of size, opportunity, family context, and internal drive give him a shot at something special.
In short: yes, everyone knows Cooper Flagg. But keep your eye on Ace — he might be the one whose story, when you look back in two or three years, has the more satisfying arc.
