Duke forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 prospect in ESPN’s 2025 NBA draft class, has signed a significant shoe endorsement deal with New Balance, according to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
This deal links Flagg to a brand closely tied to his home state of Maine, where New Balance operates a factory just 25 miles from his childhood home in Newport.
“The connection with New Balance as a family company and a company with Maine roots means a lot to me,” Flagg told ESPN.
Flagg’s journey has been notable as he reclassified to enter college a year early, positioning himself as one of the most highly anticipated NBA prospects.
Standing at 6-foot-9, Flagg has gained recognition for his two-way play, athleticism, and high intensity on the court.
He was the only college player and the lone teenager invited to Team USA’s pre-Olympic training camp in Las Vegas, where he made a strong impression.
Flagg’s involvement in the camp as part of the select team allowed him to scrimmage against the U.S. gold-medal-winning roster.
The evolution of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules has made such endorsement deals more accessible to elite prospects like Flagg.
New Balance has a history of partnering with young athletes, including tennis star Coco Gauff and NBA players Tyrese Maxey and Quincy Wilson.
Flagg expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, calling it “incredible” and acknowledging how “blessed and grateful” he feels to be in this position.
Flagg’s talent has been evident throughout his high school career, particularly during his time at Montverde Academy in Florida.
His senior season statistics include averages of 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game.
