Cooper Flagg’s career is now overseen by his mother, Kelly Flag, who previously worked as a sixth-grade science teacher for 25 years.
Since the Dallas Mavericks picked the 6-foot-9 former Duke player as the No. 1 overall selection in April’s NBA Draft, Kelly has taken on the role of managing his career. This transition has been significant, especially since she spent four decades in her hometown of Newport, Maine, and is now navigating life in Texas to support Cooper.
Suddenly, she finds herself guiding one of the most anticipated NBA prospects, moving from being just a mom of three—Hunter, Cooper, and Ace—to a brand manager for her son.
“I’m essentially managing Cooper’s career,” Kelly shared during a discussion about her partnership with Dr. Shoal, a shoe brand focusing on real moms. “I’m the link between the agency and brand partners, acting as his brand manager,” she said.
“It keeps me busy. I’m not just a mom; I’m juggling everything involved with Cooper’s career and trying to balance that with my daily life.”
“I taught sixth grade for a long time, but I moved to Florida with Cooper two years ago and retired. We believed it was better for them to be closer to opportunities. It has been a busy adjustment ever since.”
Kelly often reflects on this new reality. For instance, while grocery shopping at Cooper’s apartment, she returned to her new home in Dallas for the interview.
Meanwhile, Ace, Cooper’s twin brother, is set to play college basketball for the Maine Black Bears this fall.
According to ESPN, during Cooper’s time at Duke, he earned around $28 million through a voluntary agreement with New Balance and Fanatics.
Balancing Motherhood
Kelly has been candid about her dual role as a mom and manager for her son, acknowledging the challenges that come with it.
“Most days, I’m just being a mom, while also trying to pick the right moments to discuss business matters,” she explained. “I often have to ask, ‘Can you give me five minutes to go over your schedule?’ because I need to make decisions together.”
“I try to keep it short and sweet, knowing his attention span isn’t the longest given he’s 18.”
“Ultimately, he makes his own decisions, which is important to his dad. We keep everything aligned with what he wants, rather than imposing our choices on him.”
Kelly is prepared to balance both Cooper’s NBA commitments and Ace’s upcoming college games this fall.
“We’ll manage some rentals back in Maine during winter to attend as many Ace games as possible,” she mentioned.
Not Seeking the Limelight
Even with growing attention from brands like Dr. Shoal, Kelly insists she isn’t chasing the spotlight.
“It’s overwhelming. When people ask how I handle it, I honestly don’t have the time to think about everything that’s happened in recent months.”
“I’ve always been a busy mom in many different ways. The attention isn’t something I actively pursue.”
She humorously dismissed the idea of becoming an influencer, preferring to emphasize her role as a supportive mother. Kelly aims to help other moms find similar success.
“I believe many can relate to my journey, seeing parts of themselves in my story, and I think that’s pretty special,” she expressed. “I’m just an ordinary mom with a talented child. Fortunately, I’ve found myself somewhat in the spotlight.”
A Strong Basketball Background
Kelly was a noteworthy basketball player herself, scoring over 1,000 points in high school and serving as captain for the University of Maine’s women’s basketball team in the late 1990s, leading them to their first NCAA tournament win.
Her contributions to women’s sports were recognized when the team was inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
Meanwhile, her husband Ralph also played basketball at Eastern Maine Community College.
Cooper commented that their one-on-one matchups are set to become more competitive.
In 2022, Kelly, alongside her sons, helped their high school team at Maine Nokomis Regional High School clinch the state championship.
The Governor of Maine declared June 25, 2025, “Cooper Flagg Day,” recognizing his achievement as the top draft pick and celebrating the pride he brings to the state.
Reflecting on her life change, Kelly noted, “Living in Newport, Maine for 40 years, I never imagined I’d be in Dallas or Florida two years ago.”
“It’s fascinating how things can evolve so quickly.”
