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.

Flagg joins a New Balance brand deeply connected to his home state, including a manufacturing facility in Skowhegan, Maine, which is just 25 miles from his childhood home in Newport.

"The connection with New Balance as a family-oriented company with roots in Maine means a lot to me," Flagg shared with ESPN. "That makes this partnership truly unique and special. My mom used to take us to their tent sales for back-to-school shopping when we were kids. That connection aligns the brand with my roots. It's a perfect match."

Flagg, at 17, reclassified to enter college a year early, and is considered a highly anticipated NBA prospect. Standing at 6-foot-9, Flagg is a remarkable two-way player known for his explosive athleticism, well-rounded skills, and intense playing style. He was the only college player and teenager invited to Team USA's pre-Olympic training camp in Las Vegas and made a strong impression as part of the select team that scrimmaged against the United States' gold-medal-winning roster.

The recent changes in name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules have made these types of endorsement deals more commonplace for top prospects like Flagg. New Balance has a history of partnering with top young athletes across various sports, including Coco Gauff , Tyrese Maxey and Quincy Wilson.

"As a young kid, I used to dream about moments like this," Flagg told ESPN. "This is an incredible opportunity, and I'm incredibly grateful and fortunate to be in this position."

Flagg was named Gatorade National Player of the Year at Montverde Academy in Florida, showcasing exceptional performance during his senior season with averages of 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.7 steals and 3.7 blocks per game.