“The Flagg Five Come Home: A Hall of Fame Night That Showed Where Cooper Flagg’s Fire Began”
BANGOR, Maine For one afternoon in September, the whirlwind of basketball stardom slowed down, and the Flagg family came together under one roof to honor the person who set the tone for it all: Kelly Flagg.
On Sunday at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre, Kelly was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a woman whose legacy as a player, coach, and mother continues to ripple through generations. And when she stepped onto the stage to accept the honor, she wasn’t alone. She had her “Flagg Five” Ace, Cooper, Hunter, Ralph, and her mother, Evie surrounding her, all of them wearing proud smiles (and a few “F5” necklaces) that told the story of a family rooted in both competitiveness and community.
The Flagg Five together again
It’s rare these days to get the entire Flagg family under one roof. Cooper, the NBA’s most anticipated rookie since LeBron James, is preparing for his first season with the Dallas Mavericks. His twin brother Ace is beginning his freshman year at the University of Maine, while older brother Hunter is also a UMaine student. But this weekend, basketball’s future stars put aside their own schedules to celebrate the foundation of their family’s story.
“I always like to have all my Flagg Five all together, whenever I get them,” said Evie Bowman, Kelly’s mother, glowing as she watched her daughter and grandsons embrace the moment.
Cooper’s presence created a small stir in Bangor, as fans young and old approached the 18-year-old phenom for autographs and photos. Yet the rookie forward, fresh off one of the greatest college seasons in recent memory, blended into the crowd like just another proud son, eyes fixed on the stage as his mom received the highest honor Maine sports can bestow.
Kelly Flagg’s own greatness
Long before her sons became household names, Kelly carved her own path to greatness. A standout at Nokomis Regional High School, she later starred for the University of Maine, becoming part of the only Black Bears team in history to win an NCAA tournament game.
“I grew up shooting in the grass driveway, worshiping the Celtics of the ‘80s,” Kelly said in her induction speech. “I was lucky to have great teammates and coaches, and now, my most rewarding role in sports has been that of mom.”
Her husband, Ralph, who played his own college ball in Maine, smiled knowingly when asked about her competitive streak. “She hated to lose,” he said a trait their children clearly inherited.
In fact, Kelly herself laughed about the old one-on-one battles against Ralph:
“Me, because I would beat him up. There were no fouls in our games. If he tried to go into the paint, he was going down.”
That fire, that toughness, became the heartbeat of her family.
Passing down the mentality
The Flagg sons aren’t just talented they are wired to win. Cooper, who led Duke to a 31–3 season and a Final Four as a freshman before declaring for the NBA Draft, often credits his mom for instilling discipline and resilience. Ace, now forging his own path at UMaine, carries the same drive. And Hunter, though not playing on the national stage, embodies the same values in his studies.
Matt MacKenzie, Cooper’s longtime trainer, has often said that Cooper’s success stems from more than size and skill it’s the values instilled at home. On Sunday, those values were on display as Kelly reminded the audience of the small-town roots that shaped her and her family.
“We are small town people with small town values,” Kelly said. “We care about our neighbors and the community, and we raised our kids to always value that. The people that have helped them along the way, you never forget. And I think that’s really important.”
A proud moment for Maine
For the state of Maine, the day was more than just a Hall of Fame induction. It was a reminder of how deeply connected the Flaggs remain to their home. From Nokomis’ 2022 state championship run when Ace, Cooper, and Hunter shared the floor to Cooper’s rapid rise as the face of Maine basketball on the global stage, the family has never forgotten where it all started.
As Cooper signed autographs and Ace chatted with old friends from Nokomis, Kelly reflected on the bigger picture. “It’s always refreshing to come back,” she said. “This place taught us who we are. And no matter where life takes us, Maine will always be home.”
For one night in Bangor, under the glow of the spotlight, the Flagg Five celebrated their matriarch’s Hall of Fame career. And as Kelly raised her plaque, the message was clear: before there was Cooper the phenom, there was Kelly the competitor and the story of Maine basketball can’t be told without her.