Cooper Flagg's Mother Addresses Misunderstanding Over Nico Harrison's Dismissal
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg's mother, Kelly Flagg, took to social media to clarify her stance following a viral moment that many interpreted as a reaction to the firing of general manager Nico Harrison.
On November 10, Kelly shared a post on X, responding to a Mavericks fan who expressed concern about Cooper, 18, enduring "fire Nico" chants during free throw attempts. The fan labeled Harrison, 52, as a distraction, and the team subsequently announced his dismissal the following day.
“Cooper Flagg’s mom has entered the chat,” noted an NBA account on X, highlighting Kelly's repost of the fan's tweet. In her response, she emphasized, “Retweet wasn’t about firing Nico. It was about the fact that the fans were chanting during our free throws. Our guys had nothing to do with what went down.”
Kelly urged everyone to move forward, stating, “It’s done now so we all need to move on. Hopefully better days ahead.” Her support for Cooper has been unwavering since he made his debut for Duke University in 2024. The one-and-done standout was selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Mavericks and is currently averaging 15 points per game over his first 11 games.
During Cooper's tenure at Duke, Kelly gained attention for her candid remarks about University of North Carolina fans, whom she labeled “classless a**holes” after a heated game in March. She felt that Tar Heels supporters disrespected her family and described her exuberant celebration of her son's dunk as a “big F-you to the entire Carolina fan base.”
Reflecting on her protective nature, Kelly told Us Weekly shortly after that game, “I’ve learned that people shouldn’t mess with Mama Bear. Mama Bear definitely can come out, even when I don’t want it to. Sometimes I can’t help it.”
Her commitment as Cooper's biggest supporter extends beyond mere enthusiasm; she actively ensures that he and his teammates are prepared for each game. “If a team is warming up and they’re just kind of going through the motions, a lot of times they come out flat to start the game,” she explained. “I feel like it is my personal responsibility to make sure that our parent section brings the energy. In fact, I think we coached them to that win against UNC by really getting the crowd going.”
“I’m just so passionate about these boys and what they’re doing,” she added. “I know how much they want it and I know how hard they’ve worked for it. I know the hours that have gone into it.”
Cooper isn't the only one benefiting from Kelly's fervor; his fraternal twin brother, Ace, is also making strides in his basketball career as a freshman at the University of Maine, their home state. Ace scored 10 points in his collegiate debut against George Washington on November 3.
“He’s done such a great job of being his own person, being authentically who he is as a player, and developing in his own time,” Kelly remarked about Ace in March 2025.
