Who is Cooper Flagg? (NBA Rookie of the year); Age, Early life and Education, Career, Relationship with Arianna Roberson

Cooper Flagg is one of the brightest young stars in basketball today. He became famous for his incredible talent at a very young age and quickly turned into one of the most talked about players in the United States. In 2026, he won the NBA Rookie of the Year award after an impressive first season with the Dallas Mavericks.

Known for his all-around game, Flagg is praised for his scoring, defense, passing, and basketball intelligence. Many fans and experts believe he could become one of the future faces of the NBA because of how mature and confident he already looks on the court.

Age, Early Life and Education

Cooper Flagg was born on December 21, 2006, in Newport, Maine. He grew up in a basketball-loving family and started playing the sport when he was still very young. His mother, Kelly Flagg, also played basketball in college, which helped shape his love for the game.

As a child, Flagg stood out because of his height, athleticism, and natural basketball skills. He attended Nokomis Regional High School in Maine before later transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida, one of the top basketball schools in the country. At Montverde, he played against elite young players and became one of the highest-rated prospects in America.

During high school, Flagg gained national attention for his strong performances in tournaments and showcase games. He was ranked as the top player in his class by many recruiting services and became a major name in youth basketball before even reaching college.

After graduating from high school, Flagg joined Duke University for one season of college basketball. His time at Duke helped increase his popularity even more, as fans quickly saw him as a future NBA superstar.

Career

Cooper Flagg’s basketball career has moved very quickly because of his talent and hard work. While playing at Duke, he became one of the best players in college basketball despite being a freshman. His performances attracted huge attention from NBA scouts and fans around the country.

After his successful college season, Flagg declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks. Expectations were already extremely high, but he still managed to impress during his rookie season.

In his first NBA year, Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. His ability to score, defend, and create plays helped him stand out among other young players in the league. Because of his strong performances throughout the season, he won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2026.

Outside basketball, Flagg’s popularity has continued to grow. During the offseason, he even served as the honorary pace car driver for the Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway, showing how quickly he has become a well-known sports figure.

Relationship with Arianna Roberson

Cooper Flagg’s relationship with Arianna Roberson became public in May 2026 after months of rumors online. Fans had been speculating about the pair for some time because both athletes are connected to Duke basketball.

The couple officially confirmed their relationship during a vacation in Turks and Caicos. Roberson posted a TikTok video showing the two spending time together, wearing matching outfits, holding hands, and enjoying their trip. Soon after, Flagg shared a photo of them kissing on his Instagram Story, making their relationship official on social media.

Before the public confirmation, Roberson had also attended Flagg’s Rookie of the Year press conference and sat with his parents, Kelly and Ralph Flagg. This added even more attention to the rumors surrounding the couple.

Since going public, Flagg and Roberson have become one of the most talked-about young couples in basketball. Fans continue following both stars closely as their careers and popularity continue to rise.