Cooper flag the projected number one pick in the 2025 NBA draft and a freshman at Duke has signed a significant shoe endorsement deal with New Balance according to ESPN's Adrien wowski it is notable that flag did not sign with Nike which has an endorsement deal with Duke through 2027 and is the biggest player in the sneaker business the New Balance stable also includes US Open Champion Coco goof and basketball Stars Tyrese Maxi of the 76ers and Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets ESPN noted that New Balance has a manufacturing plant in scan Maine 25 mi from flag's childhood home in Newport the connection with new balance is a family company and a company with main Roots means a lot to me flag told ESPN that makes this really different and special my mom used to go to the tent sale for back toschool shopping there when we were kids that really aligns the brand with my roots it's a perfect fit