Cooper Flagg Reveals Why He Was ‘Forced’ to Wear Kobe Nikes Instead of His Beloved New Balance in March Madness
March Madness has always been a stage where legends are born, and this year, one of the brightest stars to capture the nation’s attention was none other than Duke’s phenom freshman, Cooper Flagg. From his relentless defense to his poised offensive game, Flagg has been every bit the generational talent scouts promised. But while his on-court dominance was the headline, an unexpected twist in his footwear sparked an equally fascinating conversation among fans: why wasn’t Flagg wearing his signature New Balance sneakers?
Throughout his high school career, Flagg made no secret of his love for New Balance. In a world dominated by Nike, Adidas, and Jordan Brand, the Maine native stood out as one of the rare elite prospects loyal to the Boston-based company. However, when the cameras zoomed in during Duke’s March Madness opener, fans were stunned to see Flagg lacing up a pair of Kobe Protro Nikes—a stark departure from his usual kicks.
In a postgame media session, Flagg revealed the reasoning: “The NCAA has certain restrictions, and our team has a Nike contract. As much as I wanted to wear my New Balances, I had to go with what the program is aligned with. Kobe’s shoes are legendary, and I respect that, but everybody knows New Balance is my true home.”
This revelation highlights a growing tension in college athletics. On one hand, schools lock into lucrative shoe deals that provide millions in revenue and resources. On the other, athletes now live in an era of NIL freedom, where personal branding is everything. For Flagg, who is expected to be a future face of New Balance basketball, this forced switch underscores the complicated balance between loyalty to personal endorsement aspirations and the realities of collegiate sports contracts.
Fans rallied behind Flagg, with many praising him for his honesty and hinting at the bigger picture—his eventual move to the NBA, where he’ll have full autonomy to represent New Balance on the grandest stage.
In the end, Cooper Flagg’s shoes became more than just footwear. They symbolized the collision of tradition, business, and individuality in modern college basketball—a battle Flagg is destined to win once he takes the next step in his career.
