Cooper Flagg's 'heart is with Maine' after another mass shooting

Montverde Academy (Florida) five-star basketball prospect Cooper Flagg reacted to the mass shooting in Maine

Montverde Academy (Florida) five-star basketball prospect Cooper Flagg, the nation's No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2024, has the attention of the entire college basketball world.

But his mind and heart are elsewhere.

Amid reports that the 6-foot-8 basketball prodigy is expected to announce his commitment to either Duke or UConn this week, Flagg posted a message reacting to the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine that that left at least 18 people dead and dozens more injured.

"All of our focus should be on supporting the victims, their families, and law enforcement - everything else can wait," he posted to social media. "My heart is with Maine." 

All of our focus should be on supporting the victims, their families, and law enforcement - everything else can wait. My heart is with Maine.

— Cooper Flagg (@Cooper_Flagg) October 26, 2023

Flagg and his family are from Newport, Maine, a town less than 100 miles from Lewiston. 

After winning a Class A state championship with Nokomis (Maine), Cooper and his brother, Ace, announced a transfer to Montverde Academy, a national powerhouse program in Florida. 

Flagg is projected to be a future No. 1 NBA draft pick and may be the most sought-after player not named "Victor Wembanyama" in several years.

For now, however, basketball belongs on the backburner as Flagg focuses on a community very close to home.