If you’ve spent any time on sports Twitter or TikTok lately, you know that the hype around Cooper Flagg is reaching a fever pitch. Ever since he went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft, the kid from Maine has been under a microscope. We know he’s a defensive menace. We know he’s got that "it" factor that makes NBA GMs salivate. But naturally, when you're 19, famous, and basically the new face of a franchise, people start asking the "other" questions. Specifically, does Cooper Flagg have a girlfriend?
It’s the classic celebrity athlete trajectory. One day you’re a high school phenom in Newport, Maine, and the next, people are dissecting your Instagram follows like they’re scouting reports. Honestly, the curiosity makes sense. Flagg is private—like, old-school private. In an era where most rookies are livestreaming their entire lives, Cooper keeps things surprisingly close to the vest.
The Lola Ressler Rumors: What We Actually Know
The name that constantly pops up in this conversation is Lola Ressler. If you’ve seen those "prom" photos floating around, you’ve seen Lola. She’s not just a random classmate, though. Ressler is a high-level athlete in her own right, playing soccer for Wake Forest University.
The two of them were classmates at the prestigious Montverde Academy in Florida. That’s where the smoke started. In 2024, they were named Prom King and Queen. There are videos—kinda grainy, very high school—of them dancing to Ed Sheeran’s "Perfect." It’s the sort of wholesome content that the internet absolutely devours.
👉 See also: Dodgers Black Heritage Night 2025: Why It Matters More Than the Jersey
Are they still together?
That’s where it gets tricky. In the world of 2026 social media, a "follow" is a statement and a "like" is a headline. As of right now, Cooper and Lola still follow each other. But here’s the thing: neither has posted a "hard launch" photo since Cooper made the jump to Duke and then the Mavericks.
Lola is busy holding it down on the pitch for the Demon Deacons. Cooper is busy trying to navigate life in Dallas. Long-distance relationships are hard for anyone, let alone an 18 or 19-year-old dealing with the pressures of being an NBA savior. While the internet is convinced they’re a "power couple," neither side has officially confirmed they are dating in 2026.
Why Cooper Flagg Keeps His Private Life Private
You have to look at how Cooper was raised to understand why he isn't blasting his dating life on Instagram Stories. His parents, Kelly and Ralph Flagg, are big on the "family first" mentality. Kelly, who was a legend at the University of Maine, has been very vocal about keeping Cooper grounded.
✨ Don't miss: College Football Top 10: What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Rankings
There was a funny moment during the draft cycle where Kelly joked about Cooper’s spending habits. She basically told him, "Don't buy a Bugatti." That level of parental "realness" usually translates to a kid who doesn't feel the need to show off his personal business for clout.
- Focus on Basketball: Since reclassifying to the 2024 high school class, Cooper's schedule has been insane. Between Duke, the NBA Draft, and now his rookie season with the Mavs, there isn't exactly a lot of "brunch date" time.
- The Maine Roots: People from Maine are notoriously low-key. There’s a certain stoicism that comes with growing up in a town of 3,000 people.
- Professionalism: He’s already signing major deals with brands like Chime and New Balance. These companies love a "clean" image, and Cooper seems perfectly happy to let his game do the talking.
Misconceptions About the "Duke Girlfriend"
When Cooper was at Duke, rumors flew every other week. "He’s dating a cheerleader." "He’s seeing a fellow student." Most of this was just typical Cameron Crazies gossip. Honestly, some fans on Reddit even joked that he should stay at Duke for a second year just because he "might have met a girl" and didn't want to leave.
But if you look at his actual movements, he was almost always with his twin brother, Ace, or his older brother, Hunter. The Flagg brothers are a tight-knit unit. In 2022, they all played on the same high school team and won a state championship. That kind of bond is rare. When you have that much support from your siblings, you probably don't feel the rush to find a "public" relationship just for the sake of it.
🔗 Read more: Cleveland Guardians vs Atlanta Braves Matches: Why This Interleague Rivalry Hits Different
The Maverick Life: Dating in Dallas
Now that he’s in Dallas, the spotlight is even brighter. Dallas is a "big small town" when it comes to its stars. If Cooper Flagg goes to a steakhouse with someone, people are going to notice.
However, his rookie year has been defined more by his "growing bond" with veterans like Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving than by any romantic interests. He’s mentioned in interviews that he spends his downtime golfing to de-stress. It’s a pretty solitary hobby for a guy who’s supposedly one of the most eligible bachelors in sports.
What This Means for Fans
If you're looking for a definitive "Yes, he's dating X," you won't find it because Cooper hasn't given it to us. And honestly? That's probably a good thing for his career. We’ve seen plenty of young stars get distracted by the "celebrity" side of the NBA. Cooper seems more interested in his PER (Player Efficiency Rating) than his TMZ mentions.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
- Check the Sidelines: If you want to know if someone is serious in an NBA player's life, look at who is sitting with the family (Kelly and Ralph) during home games at the American Airlines Center.
- Follow the Teammates: Sometimes you learn more about a player's social life through the "background" of his teammates' posts. Keep an eye on Dereck Lively II’s stories; those Duke guys stick together.
- Respect the Privacy: It’s easy to forget these guys are barely out of their teens. Whether it's Lola Ressler or someone new, Cooper is clearly choosing to keep his circle small.
At the end of the day, does Cooper Flagg have a girlfriend? He might. But he's certainly not using her for engagement. In the modern NBA, that kind of mystery is almost as impressive as a chase-down block.
If you're following his journey, keep your eyes on the box scores for now. The Mavs are currently managing his recent ankle sprain, and his return to the court is a much bigger priority for the Flagg camp than any relationship status update. Focus on the stats, the defensive highlights, and the way he’s handling the Dallas pressure. The rest will come out when—and if—he wants it to.