Local kids practice basketball drills with Cooper Flagg
NBA Rookie of the Year hosts basketball camp with his brothers at UMaine
Aug. 19, 2026
Jessi Hardy
Local kids attended a youth basketball clinic at the University of Maine campus in Orono over the weekend of Aug 15-16, hosted by Cooper and Ace Flagg of Newport.
Gianna Oliver of Deer Isle gets a high-five from Cooper Flagg. Photo courtesy of Ashley Oliver.
This is the third year the Flaggs have put on the event for ages 6-13, designed to be an inspiration for young basketball players to learn from the experiences of the fraternal twins who have become household sports names..
Cooper Flagg, who plays for the Dallas Mavericks, is the NBA 2026 Rookie of the Year. His brother, Ace Flagg, is a sophomore at UMaine.
The two spent the weekend training young basketball players in drills, skills and teamwork.
“It was really fun. Cooper is tall. I was excited to be camper of the day because they chose me out of all the kids,” Gianna Oliver, 11, of Deer Isle said.
The weekend featured a high-energy environment where campers received hands-on instruction from the Flaggs and local high school and college coaches. The program included fundamental basketball skills stations, contests, and non-contact games designed to be fun and positive for all attendees.
The twins’ older bother, Hunter, was also in attendance to help with the event.
“It was pretty awesome to meet Cooper Flagg and his brothers. I had fun and got to do camp with one of my best friends,” CJ Jones, 13 of Deer Isle said.
