Just hours ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, fans were hit with an unexpected and somewhat disappointing revelation about projected top prospects No. 1 pick.
The former Duke standout, who swept nearly every major award during his freshman season, is widely regarded as a once-in-a-generation talent. After averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in his lone year at Duke, expectations are sky-high for Flagg—many believe he has the potential not only to become the league’s best player but also its next global face.
While he faces the immense pressure of living up to the legacy of great Duke stars in the NBA, he’s also shouldering the hopes of an entire state.
Flagg hails from Newport, a small town in Maine with a population of roughly 3,000. Despite his national spotlight, he remains deeply connected to his roots. In a nod to his origins, fans have affectionately dubbed him the “Maine Event,” a nickname that highlights both his home state and his star potential—though the exact origin of the moniker remains unclear.
Although “The Maine Event” seems like a fitting and popular nickname, Cooper Flagg revealed in an interview with NBA TV’s Taylor Rooks that he’s not particularly fond of it when used in a personal context.
“I don’t know,” Flagg admitted. “I mean, I think it’s kind of a weird name for someone to actually call me. But I think it’s kind of cool for like social media stuff.”
Assuming everything goes as expected and Cooper Flagg becomes a superstar with the Dallas Mavericks, who own the No. 1 pick, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop a new nickname that better suits him.
In the meantime, it looks like fans might need to head back to the drawing board to come up with a fresh moniker for the former Duke standout.