Top Basketball Recruit Flagg Postpones College Decision in Wake of Maine Mass Shooting

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Cooper Flagg, widely regarded as the leading prospect in the 2024 basketball recruiting class, announced on Thursday that he is shifting his attention toward the devastating mass shooting that occurred in his native state of Maine. This suggests that his impending decision about his college basketball future might be put on hold.

Standing at 6 feet 9 inches, Flagg is a small forward who had been deliberating between joining Duke University and the reigning national champions, the University of Connecticut (UConn).

Originally, there had been expectations that Flagg would publicize his collegiate choice on Thursday. However, he clarified through a post on social media that such an announcement would not be forthcoming.

“Other matters must be put on hold; my heart is with Maine,” stated Flagg.

Flagg is currently enrolled at Montverde Academy in Florida but hails from Newport, Maine. Newport is situated approximately 80 miles away from Lewiston, where a horrifying act of violence took place on Wednesday night. The shooting incident, at a bowling alley and a restaurant, resulted in at least 18 fatalities and injured another 13 people.

Previously, Flagg had expressed that Duke was his preferred choice for college basketball. Nevertheless, he later also considered UConn as an option, particularly after an official visit in September. During the visit, he spent time with Donovan Clingan, a 7-foot-2 center and family friend. Both their mothers had been basketball teammates at Maine during the 1990s. In a symbolic gesture, the two young athletes shared a social media post featuring them in jerseys replicating those of their mothers.

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