Cooper Flagg as a College Freshman at Duke Photo that Appeared in today’s “The New York Times.”

Today, June 25th, has been proclaimed “Cooper Flagg Day” in Maine — a day to celebrate his remarkable basketball achievement according to Governor Mills.  He is expected to be the first overall selection in tonight’s NBA draft.  That selection takes place tonight at 8:00 pm and can be seen on local television.

“Cooper Flagg’s extraordinary talent and dedication to basketball has earned him national acclaim as perhaps the most promising player of his generation.  He is a source of tremendous pride for Maine,” said Governor Mills.  “I have proclaimed today as Cooper Flagg Day, so all the people of Maine can celebrate his achievement, hard work, perserverance and sportsmanship, whlch should inspire youth across our state to pursue their dreams with Cooper’s signature determination.”

“I am so proud to call Maine my home state and I am grateful for all the support I have received,” said Cooper Flagg, 18, who grew up in Newport and graduated from its high school before going on to school in Florida.  “Thank you to Governor MIlls and New Balance for helping to reinforce my belief in the value of teamwork and that if you stick to something and keep working, you can make it happen.”

If that recognition from the state’s Governor isn’t enough, Flagg is the subject of an in-depth article in todays “The New York Times.”  The article – “Prodigy’s Next World to Conquer” details his growth as a teenager up to his current position as the expected No. 1 draft choice this evening.   The article said that until Flagg, Maine has never had a born and bred player drafted into the NBA.  His amazing accomplishment has won him the pride and respect from Mainers – even those who are not big basketball fans.