Fifteen-year-old Cooper Flagg — who led Nokomis Excessive Faculty of Newport to its first ever state Class A basketball championship in March — aided the US’ U-17 nationwide basketball staff in going 2-0 within the FIBA World Cup in Malaga, Spain, this weekend.
In Saturday’s tourney-opening 120-44 victory over Lebanon, the 6-foot-8 Flagg had three factors however his 13 rebounds and three blocked photographs have been staff highs.
He additionally led the staff in minutes performed with 19:55.
The staff continued its profitable streak on Sunday with an 88-55 win over Slovenia.
Flagg performed 14 minutes and one second and had 12 factors and eight rebounds. He wound up as the sport’s co-leading rebounder with teammate Sean Stewart and was second on the staff in scoring behind Ronald Holland’s 14 factors.
Flagg additionally had a block and a steal and shot 6-for-10 from the ground.
Flagg, who turned the primary freshman in Maine historical past to be named the Gatorade Participant of the Yr, is one in every of simply three 15-year-olds on the 12-player roster.
Staff USA is now 39-0 within the FIBA World Cup U-17 Match since its inception in 2010 and has gained the 5 earlier tournaments.
Flagg and Staff USA will conclude group play towards Mali on Tuesday.
The highest qualifiers in every of the 4 teams will advance to the following spherical which begins on Wednesday.
Flagg, chosen the third greatest participant within the nation’s freshman class by ESPN, shall be attending prestigious Montverde Academy in Florida this fall alongside together with his twin brother Ace.
Cooper Flagg has already acquired scholarship provides from Duke, UCLA, Michigan and Iowa.
The son of Ralph and Kelly (Bowman) Flagg has had a whirlwind spring and summer time.
He was chosen to attend a USA Basketball minicamp in April in New Orleans and likewise led the Maine United 15-under staff to a 7-1 file in two highly-regarded Nike Elite Youth Basketball League tournaments, which earned the staff a spot within the season-ending Peach Jam Nationwide Match on July 17-24.
