Johnathan Walker:Prep star Flagg shifts focus to home state Maine after mass shooting, says college decision can wait

2025-05-07 22:19:42source:AstraTradecategory:Invest

Cooper Flagg,Johnathan Walker the consensus top player in the 2024 recruiting class, said Thursday that his focus is on the tragedy of a mass shooting in his home state of Maine, an indication that an announcement on where he will play college basketball could be delayed.

The 6-foot-9 small forward has been deciding between Duke and defending national champion UConn.

There were reports he would announce his decision Thursday. But Flagg indicated in a social media post that would not happen.

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

Flagg plays at Montverde Academy in Florida, but is from Newport, Maine, about 80 miles from Lewiston, where at least 18 people were killed and 13 injured Wednesday night in shootings at a bowling ally and a restaurant.

Flagg had called Duke his dream school, but added the Huskies to the mix after an official visit in September, when he hung out with 7-2 center and family friend Donovan Clingan.

Flagg and Clingan’s mothers had been teammates in the 1990s at Maine and the pair put up a post on social media showing them wearing replicas of their mothers’ jerseys.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here

___

AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

More:Invest

Recommend

JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'

JoJo Siwa is reflecting on her "very public beef" with Candace Cameron Bure.The "Dance Moms" alum, 2

Georgia House Democratic leader James Beverly won’t seek reelection in 2024

ATLANTA (AP) — The Democratic leader in Georgia’s state House won’t seek reelection this year.House

Biden to announce construction of temporary port on Gaza coast for humanitarian aid

Washington — President Biden will announce a plan in his State of the Union address Thursday for the