Cooper and Ace Flagg Update: One Brother in the NBA, the Other Just Beginning His College Journey
The Flagg family’s basketball story is unlike any other in America right now. Cooper Flagg, once the most talked-about high school prospect in the nation, has already ascended to the NBA, where his all-around brilliance and team-first approach are drawing comparisons to legends. But while Cooper has taken the spotlight, his twin brother, Ace, is about to embark on his own basketball path a journey that may not be defined by stardom, but one that could carve out a legacy of grit, toughness, and quiet impact.
Raised on Celtics Basketball
The Flaggs’ roots are in small-town Maine, a state far removed from the traditional basketball hotbeds of New York, California, or Texas. That distance meant long road trips hours in the car to AAU tournaments across New England. But those trips weren’t wasted time. They were classrooms on wheels, where parents Kelly and Ralph passed down a love for the game through a steady diet of 1986 Boston Celtics film.
For Kelly, the Celtics of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale weren’t just a team they were basketball purity. “As Mainers, good Mainers, we were brought up on the Boston Celtics,” she said. “And our era was the Bird-Parish-McHale age group. In my opinion, that’s the best brand of basketball that’s ever been played as far as the purity of the game. It’s been documented that Cooper watched an awful lot of Larry Bird film and tape growing up, and I think that’s the way that those guys played they always made the right play, made the right passes, and played a true brand of team basketball. That’s what we grew up on, which then meant that’s what they grew up on.”
It’s not hard to see the influence in Cooper’s game. His unselfishness, court vision, and knack for making the “right play” echo the Celtics legends he studied. But that same foundation was laid for Ace as well. And now, basketball fans will finally get a chance to see how it translates.
Ace’s Turn
While Cooper was branded as a prodigy, Ace’s rise has been steadier, quieter, and more rooted in doing the little things. Now a freshman at the University of Maine, he enters a program looking for toughness, consistency, and culture-building pieces qualities that seem to perfectly align with his skill set.
Maine head coach Chris Markwood can barely contain his excitement about Ace’s arrival. “He’s an everyday guy. So everybody’s going to love him. He’s just a hardworking kid, tough as nails. And gonna do some great things here, I’m excited to see where things go.”
For Ace, the path forward isn’t about replicating Cooper’s journey it’s about carving out his own. While Cooper dazzles with highlight-reel plays and NBA comparisons, Ace has made it clear that he prides himself on doing the dirty work: boxing out, diving for loose balls, defending, and setting the tone with toughness. Those traits don’t always make headlines, but they earn minutes. And in a college basketball setting, they can win games.
The Shadow and the Spotlight
There’s no denying that Ace has lived in his brother’s shadow. When one twin is being compared to LeBron James and Larry Bird, the other’s quieter contributions can feel overlooked. But within the Maine program and for those who understand basketball beyond the stat sheet Ace’s value is obvious. He brings balance, stability, and the kind of mentality every coach craves.
The coming years will be a fascinating study in contrasts. Cooper’s career will be measured by All-Star appearances and playoff runs, while Ace’s success might be defined by leadership, toughness, and the impact he leaves on his teammates. Both, however, will always be products of the same foundation: a Maine family car, long drives to gyms across New England, and endless film of a Celtics dynasty that preached teamwork above all.
What’s Next
For now, Maine fans should be thrilled. Ace Flagg is the kind of player who can change a program’s identity someone who embraces the grind and lifts everyone around him. If Cooper’s rise has taught us anything, it’s to never underestimate the Flagg family.
Ace’s story is just beginning. And while it may look different from Cooper’s, it could be just as meaningful.
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