Incoming Duke University freshman Cooper Flagg ramped up his college selection process last summer, reclassifying up a year and posting photos to Instagram of himself in Blue Devils threads.
Soon it will be his twin brother Ace’s turn to take the next step.
The 6-foot-7, 17-year-old is a rising senior at Montverde Academy in Florida — where he and Cooper transferred to from Nokomis prior to their sophomore years — and has offers from six Division I schools around the East Coast.
Ace received his first two college offers alongside Cooper in 2022, from the University of Maine and the University of West Virginia. Since then, Ace has also received individual offers from George Washington University, Florida Gulf Coast University, St. Joseph’s University (Pennsylvania) and the University of Richmond.
The Newport native says his home state’s flagship school is still on his radar, and that he is busy forming his college plans.
“I’ve got some ideas, yeah. I’m gonna take some visits over the next couple of months, and I’ll be able to narrow down the decision from there,” Flagg said. “I’ve been talking to UMaine a lot — they’re a great option.”
Flagg’s most recent basketball-related undertaking was winning tournament MVP at the Zero Gravity 17U Finals in Boston from June 8-9.
Playing with Team White Mamba — coached by 2008 NBA champion and former Boston Celtic Brian Scalabrine — Flagg and company went undefeated across five games to outlast dozens of other AAU teams from around the country.
“We had a bunch of competitive games. Everyone pulled through there at the end,” Flagg said. “[Scalabrine]’s a very wise mind, and a great guy. Everything he says you gotta take in, and he’s always cracking jokes, speaking his mind.”
Flagg will continue training with Scalabrine and former Maine United AAU coach Matt MacKenzie this summer, before heading back to Montverde prior to the fall.
Flagg appeared in 27 games for the national champion Eagles this past season, averaging 2.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. He believes he’s made marked improvements to his game since transferring, and has more room for growth.
“My shooting’s made incredible strides. I’m comfortable shooting from anywhere,” Flagg said. “My handle [too] — I’m trying to stretch out from a solid five (center) which I was as a freshman, and now to a four or maybe a three. I just want to continue to expand my game and prepare myself for the next level.”
MacKenzie, who also owns Results Basketball and the Eastern Maine Sports Academy in Veazie, echoed Flagg’s sentiments.
“Ace has been working hard on adding more versatility to his skill set. He grew up primarily playing inside, but has grown more comfortable away from the basket,” MacKenzie said. “He sees the floor well, and will be a natural playmaking four at the next level. His identity is to outwork every other player on the floor with his motor.”
