Cooper Flagg’s story as a rising star in college basketball is well-documented: a top-10 recruit from Maine, he soared through high school, lit up the Duke blue, and entered the NBA draft as the projected No. 1 pick. But behind this meteoric rise is a quieter, compelling narrative—that of his twin brother, Ace Flagg. Though Ace doesn’t have the same spotlight, his journey is being charted on his own terms, and understanding who Ace is helps reveal more depth to the Flagg family’s basketball legacy.
Cooper and Ace’s story starts in Newport, Maine, where their parents Kelly and Ralph Flagg—both former college players—were raising their first-born son Hunter. In 2004, Hunter’s twin, Ryder, sadly died two days after birth, and Hunter himself required prolonged neonatal care . In 2006, Kelly became pregnant with twins again. This time, Cooper and Ace arrived healthy on December 21 . From toddlerhood, they were inseparable, born into a basketball lineage that ran deep.
Despite sharing the same womb, the twins developed distinct personalities early on. Ace, often nicknamed “the human slug,” was laid-back, content with taking things slow—sleeping in, chilling out—while Cooper was the more intense, athletic child who climbed out of cribs and launched into the world around him . Physically, Ace is a bit shorter—listed at 6′7″ or 6′8″ depending on the source—while Cooper is about 6′9″ (. They are fraternal twins, not identical, and their differing styles on the court reflect that.
Their basketball paths ran parallel until high school. Both started at Nokomis Regional in Newport, where they helped lead the team—alongside older brother Hunter—to a state championship in 2022 . Seeking higher competition, they transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida, a national basketball powerhouse, during their sophomore year . Cooper reclassified to graduate a year early (Class of 2024) to join Duke’s 2024‑25 squad, while Ace remained in the Class of 2025 .
Ace finished his high school career at Greensboro Day School in North Carolina for his senior year (s Though not as heralded as his brother, he became a solid three-star prospect—ranked around 272 nationally and 55th among power forwards in the Class of 2025 .
During this time, reporters and coaches often commented on the contrasts in their approaches. Ace was described as friendly and humorous—a cheerleader off the court—while spending basketball summers cross-training in soccer and other sports to hone his agility (. Cooper’s intensity inspired Ace, while Ace’s laid-back spirit helped balance Cooper’s competitiveness, and plenty of driveway scrimmages ended in laughter—and sometimes a few scrapes .
In late October 2024, Ace announced he was “coming home”—committing to the University of Maine, following in his mother Kelly’s footsteps and maintaining their pronounced Maine roots . Maine offered him a prominent role; unlike at other schools, he would start and make an immediate impact for the Black Bears . Ace chose Maine over offers from West Virginia, Richmond, George Washington, FGCU, St. Joe’s, and Boston College At 6′7″, 180–210 lb, he will play forward and looks to be a building block in the America East Conference .
As Cooper dominated at Duke—earning All‑American honors, Naismith Player of the Year, ACC accolades, and leading to his No. 1 draft projection—the Flagg family’s focus widened. Ace’s debut at Maine mattered too. His coach and teammates called him a key piece of the program, relying on his determination and mature mindset . Reports note that Ace is growing in shooting, handling, and defense during high school, especially at Montverde and Greensboro Day .
Ace’s college debut will come at Duke’s Cameron Indoor against Cooper’s Blue Devils—a symbolic moment for the brothers and their family .
Off the court, their family dynamic shines. Their mother Kelly works hard to balance travel schedules during overlapping home games—sometimes attending one game in Maine and another in North Carolina or North Carolina—and her dedication has earned comparisons to Donna Kelce, known for supporting her sons in different sporting spheres . The family remembers the heartbreak of twin Ryder’s passing and Hunter’s early health struggles; these experiences have deepened their bond and resilience (.
Ace loves Maine—his commitment to the Black Bears reflects his deep ties, from family history to local community involvement. He helped host a basketball camp in Orono and openly shared his pride in representing his home state. Qualities like loyalty, leadership, and coming-of-age self-awareness have defined his development.
So, who is Ace Flagg? He’s Cooper’s fraternal twin brother and also a basketball player forging a different path. At 18, he committed to the University of Maine, where he’ll play forward and step into a prominent role in America East. He’s not chasing the same spotlight—Ace values staying grounded, embracing slower growth, and playing within his personality and strengths.
Their contrasting reputations—Cooper the prodigy, Ace the earnest up-and-comer—make their story richer. Their relationship embodies familial love and rivalry. Ace’s early decision to stay for his full senior year and commit to Maine underlines that he prioritizes long-term growth and personal fulfillment.
The world sees Cooper’s ascent to NBA fame, but Ace’s narrative matters too: it’s about identity, self-determination, and the legitimacy of following your own journey. In Maine, at Orono, Ace will wear the Flagg name with pride, underlining that greatness isn’t measured only by rankings or draft stock—it’s also about heart, character, and doing what’s right for you.
As Cooper embarks on his NBA career, Ace begins college on a complementary path. One day, Ace may be the older brother, the vet, the man who went first to the locker room. But for now, he’s Ace Flagg—quietly stepping into his spotlight, ready to make that Flagg name known in Orono and perhaps beyond, on his own terms. Their twin story isn’t over—it’s just entering a new, thrilling chapter.
