BREAKING: NBA Draft Sensation Cooper Flagg Buys Family’s Childhood Home to Fulfill Mother’s Dream — Converts It into $7.9M Homeless Shelter in Palm Beach
Palm Beach, FL – In a heartwarming display of gratitude, humility, and social responsibility, NBA Draft frontrunner Cooper Flagg has stunned the sports world by quietly purchasing his family’s childhood home in Palm Beach and investing $7.9 million to transform the property into a state-of-the-art homeless shelter. The move, sources close to the family say, was inspired by a long-standing dream of his mother, Kelly Flagg, who has dedicated much of her life to service and advocacy for vulnerable communities.
The 6-foot-9 phenom, projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made the purchase discreetly earlier this year. The property, located in one of the more historic and overlooked districts of Palm Beach, is where the Flagg family once lived during a difficult period marked by financial strain and housing insecurity. Now, that very house is becoming a beacon of hope for others.
Flagg, 18, has kept the project under wraps until now, reportedly instructing his legal team and contractors to avoid media attention during renovations. The newly reimagined facility — officially named The Kelly House in honor of his mother — will provide transitional housing, medical care, mental health support, and job placement assistance for up to 100 individuals at a time.
In an exclusive statement shared through his agent, Flagg said, “My mother always taught me that no success matters if you aren’t lifting others up. This home held so many memories, both beautiful and hard. I wanted to turn it into a place of healing, a place where people can get a second chance.”
Kelly Flagg, who once worked as a special education teacher and community volunteer, has been visibly moved by the tribute. At a small ribbon-cutting ceremony held privately over the weekend, she was seen tearfully embracing her son. “I never imagined this. I just always hoped to make a difference. Cooper took that dream and turned it into something even more powerful,” she said.
The facility will operate in partnership with several Florida-based non-profits, including Habitat for Humanity and The Lord’s Place. Local officials have praised the move, with Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Moore calling it “an extraordinary act of leadership and compassion from a young man who hasn’t even stepped onto an NBA court yet.”
Despite his meteoric rise in the basketball world — garnering comparisons to legends like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum — Flagg has maintained a reputation for humility, often crediting his family and community for his discipline and work ethic.
Social media erupted with praise following the news, with hashtags like #CooperCares and #KellyHouse trending across platforms. ESPN analyst Adrian Wojnarowski noted, “This is the kind of story that transcends sports. Cooper Flagg just redefined what it means to be a role model in modern athletics.”
The Kelly House is expected to open its doors to its first residents in June 2025.
As the basketball world watches Cooper Flagg’s on-court destiny unfold, it’s clear his legacy off the court is already cemented — not in points or titles, but in compassion, purpose, and a promise kept to his mother.