• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Kelly Flagg Expects Son Cooper Back for Duke ‘Very Soon’

Cooper Flagg exited the ACC tournament with an ankle injury, but both his mom and Duke coach Jon Scheyer expect him back soon.

Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) looks over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defense during the first half at Spectrum Center.
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Kelly Flagg expects to see her son Cooper back on the floor “very soon.” 

The matriarch of the basketball family spoke to Front Office Sports on Monday ahead of Duke’s first-round matchup against the winner of American and Mount St. Mary’s. She recently signed with Dr. Scholl’s to be part of the foot-care brand’s “Sole Support: Moms of Sports” campaign, in what is the first endorsement deal for the former science-teacher-turned-basketball-mom. 

Cooper is widely expected to be the top pick in June’s NBA draft and is currently out with an ankle sprain he suffered in the ACC tournament against Georgia Tech. Duke coach Jon Scheyer told ESPN, “our goal is for Friday” for Flagg to return to the court. 

Asked by FOS whether she expects her son to play this weekend, Kelly replied, “I will expect to see him–yes–very soon.”

Duke won the ACC tournament despite the absence of its top player and is a No. 1 seed in the Eastern Region for the NCAA tournament. 

What Cooper and his two siblings—including a twin brother, Ace, who is committed to Maine, where Kelly played—might not be expecting is for their mother to have an endorsement deal. Kelly told FOS she did not consult her children on the Dr. Scholl’s deal. 

“Everybody knows I’m the boss so that’s the way that goes,” she joked. “Actually, I don’t think they know that I’m doing this. So it’s great. They’ll be surprised.”

Kelly Flagg acknowledged the coincidence that she’s plugging foot support products right when her son is battling an ankle sprain. She said she used the insoles product when she was raising her kids in Maine as a way to substitute for having to buy new pairs of shoes. It’s similar to her son’s decision to sign with Boston-based New Balance, which he wore as a kid partially because of its New England roots.

“We may need to see what products we can help him out with,” Kelly said. “But he’s doing great in his healing process and I know he’s well taken care of.”

Sponsorships aren’t the only thing changing in the Flagg household this March. Kelly said she and her husband, Ralph, decided they won’t fill out a bracket or enter a tournament pool for the first time in over a decade. 

“We’re bowing out,” she said. “It doesn’t feel right. We know who’s going to win and I don’t want to take everyone’s money that easily.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Baseball

NCAA Settles With Volunteer Baseball Coaches for $49 Million

A similar suit brought by volunteer coaches of other sports remains open.
Sep 13, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) carries the football against South Florida Bulls cornerback Ben Knox (1) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.

NCAA Eliminates Spring Transfer Portal Window

The change is aimed at curbing the system of “unrestricted free agency.”

CFB TV Ratings Stay Hot As Georgia-Tennessee Sets ABC High of 12.6M

ABC has had four games that have topped 10 million viewers this season.

College Football’s Costly Start for Virginia Tech, UCLA: Coaches Out

UCLA and Virginia Tech fire their coaches while Notre Dame slumps badly.

Featured Today

Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
Kawhi Leonard

A Timeline of the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers-Aspiration Saga

Investigations into the Clippers’ business dealings with Leonard date back years.
September 11, 2025

NHL To Allow Players From Hockey Canada Trial To Return This Winter

The five Canadian players were all acquitted in July.
Joe Burrow
September 15, 2025

Joe Burrow Out for Months After Bengals’ Pricey Offseason

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the highest-paid WR duo in NFL history.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 10, 2025

Kuminga, Grimes Remain Unsigned As Giddey Agrees to $100M Deal

Two of the four restricted free agents have inked deals.
September 8, 2025

Alcaraz and Sinner Have More to Gain in 2025 After Splitting Slams

Alcaraz and Sinner have split the last eight Grand Slams.
September 7, 2025

Alcaraz Beats Sinner, Wins $5M Prize, Reclaims World No. 1

Alcaraz won a record $5 million first prize at the US Open.
Angel Reese
September 5, 2025

Angel Reese Suspended For Half-Game After Ripping Teammates

The team is disciplining Reese for criticizing her teammates publicly.