**It’s Done: UNC Tar Heel Flagg Five Reunite in Maine — and Mom Steals the Spotlight From NBA No. 1 draft pick Rookie Cooper Flagg**
In what felt like a full-circle moment, the legendary “Flagg Five” — the tight-knit group of brothers and former teammates headlined by NBA rookie Cooper Flagg — reunited in their hometown of Newport, Maine this weekend. What was supposed to be a celebration of Cooper’s meteoric rise to the professional stage quickly turned into a wholesome homecoming filled with emotion, nostalgia, and a surprise scene-stealer: Mom.
Cooper Flagg, now officially drafted to the NBA after his standout one-and-done season at UNC Chapel Hill, returned to Maine for the first time since the draft. The event, billed as a low-key gathering at Nokomis Regional High School gym — where it all began — quickly became something bigger. Family, friends, former coaches, and hundreds of fans packed the bleachers to catch a glimpse of the hometown hero and his close-knit crew: twin brother Ace Flagg, longtime friend Thomas Parent, and fellow North Carolina recruits Liam Brackett and Jaiden Reid, collectively nicknamed the “Flagg Five” during their high school and AAU days.
But while all eyes were expected to be on Cooper, it was Mom — Kelly Flagg — who effortlessly stole the spotlight. Dressed casually in UNC blue with a wide, proud smile, Kelly received a standing ovation as she was introduced mid-ceremony. The ovation lasted nearly a minute, with fans chanting “Mama Flagg!” as she made her way to the podium.
“I’m just a mom from Maine,” she laughed, choking up slightly as she spoke. “I’ve watched these boys grow up, sweat, fight, and love this game. But more than basketball, I’ve watched them love and support each other. That’s what this moment is about.”
Her heartfelt words reminded everyone that while the basketball journey may have taken the Flagg family across the country, their roots remained firmly planted in Maine. She spoke of long car rides to tournaments, backyard hoop battles, and the brotherhood that formed between the boys — one built not just on talent, but on shared dreams and relentless work ethic.
Even Cooper, known for his laser focus and composed demeanor, teared up as his mom spoke. Later, he admitted, “She’s been the engine behind all of this. People see me, but she’s the reason I’m here.”
The reunion served as a reminder that while Cooper Flagg’s journey to the NBA is just beginning, it was forged in the community that raised him — and by a mother who never let him lose sight of who he is. The Flagg Five may have put Newport on the basketball map, but it’s Mama Flagg who reminded everyone what matters most: love, humility, and home.
**It’s done — the dream is real. But the story? Still being written.**
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