Full Breakdown
Cooper Flagg and Arianna Roberson Confirm Relationship on Social Media
5/16/2026, 1:33:44 AM
Relationship Confirmation on Social Media
On Thursday, May 14 (some outlets reported May 15), Duke women’s basketball center Arianna Roberson posted a TikTok video of herself and Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg vacationing in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Within an hour, Flagg shared an Instagram Story showing the pair kissing, accompanied by two black-heart emojis. The simultaneous posts marked the first public acknowledgment of the couple’s relationship after weeks of speculation.
Background & Context
Flagg and Roberson first overlapped at Duke University during the 2024-25 academic year, when Flagg played his sole season for the men’s Blue Devils and Roberson redshirted due to a knee injury. Both returned to campus in February 2025 and were photographed together at Duke’s 101-64 win over Syracuse at Cameron Indoor Stadium. In April 2025, Roberson attended Flagg’s NBA Rookie-of-the-Year press conference and sat beside his parents, further fueling rumors.
Timeline of Public Confirmation
- 2024-25: Flagg (freshman) and Roberson (redshirt freshman) enroll at Duke.
- Feb 2025: Seen together at Duke men’s basketball game.
- Apr 2025: Roberson sits with Flagg’s family at Rookie-of-the-Year press conference.
- May 8-9 2025: Separate Instagram Stories show each at Noah’s Ark Beach Club, Turks and Caicos.
- May 14/15 2025: Roberson posts TikTok “carry on.”; Flagg posts Instagram kiss, confirming the relationship.
Profiles of the Two Athletes
- Cooper Flagg: 19-year-old forward, selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. In his rookie season he averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game, earning NBA Rookie of the Year. At Duke he was the National College Basketball Player of the Year, averaging 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds.
- Arianna Roberson: 20-year-old 6-ft-4 center for the Duke women’s basketball team. After missing her true freshman year with a knee injury, she posted 8.0 points, 5.7 rebounds (and 1.3 blocks) in 33 games during the 2025-26 season. She is the younger sister of former NBA forward Andre Roberson.
Performance Data
- Flagg (NBA 2025-26): 21.0 pts, 6.7 reb , 4.5 ast , 1.2 stl per game (70 games).
- Roberson (Duke 2025-26): 8.0 pts, 5.7 reb , 1.3 blk per game (33 games, 41.6 % shooting).
Why It Matters
The confirmation links two high-profile basketball prospects—an NBA Rookie of the Year and a rising collegiate star—drawing extensive media attention and expanding their personal brands. Their joint visibility may influence fan engagement for both the Dallas Mavericks and Duke’s women’s program, and sets a precedent for cross-league athlete relationships receiving mainstream coverage.
Official Statements & Responses
Roberson’s TikTok caption read “carry on.” Flagg’s Instagram Story featured a kiss and two black-heart emojis, signaling mutual acknowledgment. Both posts were reshared by the other party, reinforcing the announcement without additional commentary from team or university officials.
Verbatim Quotes
- “carry on.” — Arianna Roberson, TikTok caption
- “Carry on…” — Arianna Roberson, TikTok caption (People.com)
- “Stop; carry on,” — Arianna Roberson, TikTok caption (ClutchPoints)
- “I'm going to work on a lot of different things,” — Cooper Flagg (The Rookie Wire)
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact confirmation date (May 14 vs. May 15) and on whether Roberson is a freshman or sophomore during the 2025-26 season. Some articles label Flagg’s rookie year as the 2025-26 season, while others reference 2026. No official comment from the Mavericks or Duke athletics has been published beyond the athletes’ social media posts.
What’s Next
Flagg will begin his second NBA season with the Mavericks, while Roberson returns to Duke for her sophomore campaign. Both are expected to appear in upcoming media engagements and continue their athletic development, with the relationship likely remaining a focal point of public interest.
