NEW YORK — Who do you think the most famous Mainer of all time is? Until maybe a year ago, it was probably Stephen King, who has entertained and scared generations of readers with his novels, a vast majority of them set in the spooky corners of Maine that they don’t put in travel brochures.

Now, though, you can make a good case for Cooper Flagg.

“It means a lot to me to have the support of the whole state. A lot of people showed up today to support me, and a lot of draft parties back home,” Flagg said in his first official NBA news conference, about an hour after he made Maine history. “It feels amazing to know I inspire younger kids. I was in their shoes really not that long ago. To give back and give those kids those feelings and have the whole state behind me, it means a lot.”

Flagg, a Newport native, was the first pick Wednesday night in the NBA draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver opened the draft at 8:05 p.m., putting the Dallas Mavericks on the clock. The Mavericks had 5 minutes to make the pick, and if they took more than 5 seconds, it was just to chuckle and thank the lottery gods for making things fall their way last month when the draft order was set.

At 8:08, it was announced on the scoreboard above the floor that the pick was in. At 8:11, Silver made the announcement every basketball fan in the world knew was coming. Flagg is a Dallas Maverick.

Mainers in attendance were excited. Sam Esancy, of Presque Isle, and his family made the long trip from northern Maine. His sons, Daxton and Ryker, and daughter, Halle, are all big Flagg fans. And this draft was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you can attend, Sam said, do it.

Isaiah Kozak, 17, of Oakland, attended with some friends and his father. They won tickets, and entered the Barclays Center wearing capes adorned with Flagg’s image, “The Maine Event” written above Flagg’s head.

Kozak also wore a Boston Celtics cap, but admitted the Mavericks are now a second favorite team. His prediction for Flagg’s NBA success was optimistic and unequivocal.

“I think he’s going to do amazing,” Kozak said. “I think he’s going to dominate.”

Flagg said the night’s events were a blur. Even when you know what’s coming, those life-changing moments usually are.

Fans can make bold proclamations. Players, especially rookies, even first overall draft picks, are better off leaving things understated. Flagg did exactly that. He pointed toward his Hall of Fame-caliber teammates, NBA veterans, and said what they need to hear.

“I’m really excited. I think I keep saying I’m excited to be a sponge. To go (to Dallas) and learn,” Flagg said.

Silver says your name, and the Barclays Center cheers in unison. You hug your mother, father and brothers. You hug your college coach, Jon Scheyer. You walk on stage. You put on a Dallas Mavericks baseball cap. You hug Silver, and you pose. All the while, the world is watching.

You are the face of Maine. There’s no doubting that anymore.

“I don’t think it’s set in yet … just playing the moments back in my head. Standing up, hearing my name. It’s been like a blur, but I just feel really blessed just to be here,” Flagg said.

Ryker Esancy was asked what he thinks of a kid from Maine being the No. 1 draft pick. Yes, Maine. Who would ever have thought that?

“It’s just crazy,” Esancy said.

Isn’t it? And fun, too.

The face of Maine is an 18-year-old kid from Newport. Cooper Flagg is on the clock.