The NBA draft isn’t just about young athletes chasing their professional basketball dreams – it’s a stunning tribute to the incredible women who raised them. This year’s draft was a powerful reminder that behind every successful athlete stands a fierce, supportive mother who hustled, coached, and believed.

Moms: The Original Basketball Coaches

Take Kelly Flagg, whose son Cooper went first overall to the Dallas Mavericks. Not just a proud mama, but a basketball legend herself who made University of Maine history by helping her team upset Stanford in the NCAA Tournament. When asked about her son’s journey, she humbly noted she just hoped he’d love the game as much as she does.

Breaking Barriers and Borders

The draft showcased incredible maternal journeys. Tenneh Sorber, who escaped Liberian civil war in 1999, watched her son Thomas get drafted by Oklahoma City while proudly holding a Liberian flag. “I’m a mom… I worked to get him where he is today,” she said, embodying resilience and unconditional love.

More Than Just Cheerleaders

Many of these moms weren’t passive supporters – they were active coaches. Maria Harper coached her son Dylan’s first AAU team and was an assistant on his high school team before watching him get drafted second overall by San Antonio. Dylan beautifully acknowledged her impact: “Everything I do is definitely for her”.

From the Bahamas to Liberia, from small-town universities to the NBA, these stories remind us that success is rarely a solo journey. It’s a testament to maternal love, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in their children’s potential.