Press Conference: Cooper Flagg’s Heartfelt Reflection After Defeat by Houston
Reporter: “Cooper, first of all, that was a tough loss tonight. The game was hard-fought, but the energy seemed to shift toward the end. How are you holding up right now?”
Cooper Flagg: “Honestly, it’s been really hard. I’ve been thinking about this game all night, and it’s just tough, you know? We gave it our all, but we couldn’t pull it through. It hurts. It hurts a lot. I’m just… I’m disappointed in myself, disappointed that we couldn’t get the win for the fans, for our team, for everyone who’s been supporting us.” [takes a shaky breath] “But I know I have to stay strong and keep moving forward.”
Reporter: “You’re often seen as the emotional leader of the team. After a loss like this, how do you address your teammates? What do you say to lift their spirits?”
Cooper Flagg: “It’s tough, because as a leader, you want to help everyone stay positive, but you also have to be real with them. I told the guys tonight, ‘It’s okay to feel this pain. It’s okay to be hurt. But we can’t let this loss define us.’ I know we have a lot of work to do, and we’re going to come back stronger. We owe it to each other, and we owe it to our fans.” [glances at the floor] “We all need to keep our heads up, keep pushing forward together.”
Reporter: “Cooper, you’ve always had a strong connection with the fans. You’ve given them so much. How do you feel about letting them down after this loss?”
Cooper Flagg: “I just want to say to the fans, I’m really sorry. I’m sorry we couldn’t get the win tonight. We know how much you support us, and we feel that energy every time we step onto the court. To lose in a game like this, I feel like I’ve let you all down, and that’s the hardest part. You guys deserve better, and I promise we’ll work harder to give you what you expect from us. I’m so grateful for the support, and I just want to say thank you for sticking with us. We will be better for you. I’ll be better for you.”
Reporter: “Cooper, the emotion you’re showing right now is powerful. How do you personally process a loss like this, especially when you feel like you’ve let people down?”
Cooper Flagg: “It’s tough. I think about everything I could’ve done differently, the little mistakes I made, the things I could’ve said or done to inspire the team more. It feels like you’re carrying this weight, and you just want to fix everything. But I know I can’t let that weight stop me. I’ll use it to fuel me, to push harder in practice, to come back stronger next time. It’s a process. I have to trust the process and trust my team.”
Reporter: “You’ve been through a lot, Cooper, at such a young age. What keeps you going in moments like this, when the weight feels so heavy?”
Cooper Flagg: “I think it’s the people around me. My teammates, my coaches, my family… and the fans. Even in moments like this, when everything feels like it’s falling apart, I know they’re still with me. And that’s what keeps me going. I’ve learned that you don’t let one loss define who you are. It’s part of the journey. And I’m not going to stop until we get it right. I promise you that.”
Reporter: “Cooper, thank you for sharing your heart with us tonight. We know this loss was tough, but your resilience and honesty are truly inspiring.”
Cooper Flagg: “Thank you. I’m just so grateful for the support. I’m going to keep working, and we’re going to come back stronger. I won’t let you down again.”