**BREAKING✅: Cooper Flagg Invests $3.3 Million to Transform Historic Home into Safe Haven for Homeless Youth in Maine**
In an inspiring act of philanthropy that bridges his rising basketball stardom with deep community commitment, 17-year-old phenom Cooper Flagg has purchased a historic 12,000-square-foot mansion in Newport, Maine, investing $3.3 million to convert the property into a state-of-the-art shelter for homeless youth. The announcement, made during a press conference flanked by state officials and youth advocates, marks one of the most ambitious social initiatives ever undertaken by an active high school athlete—and redefines what it means to be a hometown hero.
The 19th-century estate, known locally as the “Pink House” for its distinctive rose-quartz facade, had fallen into disrepair before Flagg intervened. His vision? A 24-bed facility offering not just temporary housing but career training, mental health services, and—in a personal touch—a full-size indoor basketball court. “This place saved me growing up,” Flagg said, referencing the pickup games he played in the home’s original ballroom as a child. “Now I want it to save others.” The project, slated to open by Christmas 2025, will partner with Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services to identify at-risk teens, with priority given to LGBTQ+ youth and foster-care alumni.
Flagg’s commitment goes beyond writing a check. The Duke commit (and projected 2025 NBA Draft top pick) has spent months working with architects to preserve the home’s Gothic Revival details—stained-glass windows, a grand oak staircase—while adding modern necessities like solar panels and trauma-informed design elements. His hands-on approach stunned even seasoned nonprofit leaders. “Cooper attended every zoning meeting, reviewed every contractor bid,” revealed shelter director Marcy Lowell. “When we debated removing the third-floor library, he insisted it stay, saying, ‘Books got me through tough nights too.’”
The initiative hits close to home for Flagg, who grew up 20 minutes from Newport in a tight-knit family. His mother, Kelly, a social worker, often took in foster children, exposing Cooper early to Maine’s youth homelessness crisis—a problem that’s spiked 28% since 2020, per state data. But his motivation isn’t purely altruistic. The property’s $3.3 million price tag was funded entirely by Flagg’s NIL earnings, a staggering sum amassed through deals with Nike, Panini, and Maine-based brands like L.L.Bean. “This is what Name, Image, and Likeness should be about,” said his agent, Rich Kleiman. “Most kids buy cars. Cooper bought hope.”
Reaction has been seismic. Maine Governor Janet Mills fast-tracked the shelter’s permits, calling it “a model for public-private partnership,” while Celtics star Jayson Tatum—Flagg’s longtime mentor—pledged $500,000 to the operating fund. But the most poignant response came from 16-year-old Aiden Cole, a homeless teen from Bangor who’ll be among the first residents: “Cooper could’ve built a mansion for himself. Instead, he’s giving us keys to ours.”
As bulldozers break ground this week, Flagg balances construction updates with high school playoffs—a duality that encapsulates his mission. “Ball is temporary,” he told ESPN. “Legacy isn’t.” With this move, the teen who’s drawn comparisons to Larry Bird on the court may have just surpassed him in the realm of off-court impact. One thing’s certain: In Maine, “Flagg House” won’t just be a shelter. It’ll be a beacon proving that the next generation of athletes can—and will—rebuild the world, one brick at a time.
