Now an All-American, Boogie Fland growing as leader before joining Kentucky basketball

Newly minted McDonald’s All-American Boogie Fland is the latest exciting backcourt prospect to pick Kentucky as his college destination.

And the effervescent nature of Fland’s personality — on and off the court — will probably endear him to the Kentucky fan base in just a few months’ time.

Fland is a key part of Kentucky’s five-player 2024 recruiting class, which currently stands as the second-best crop of incoming freshman talent in the nation.

When Fland — a 6-foot-3 combo guard from Archbishop Stepinac High School just outside New York City — pledged to become a Wildcat in October, it was a commitment that induced a domino effect for head coach John Calipari’s program.

Fland was the second player in the 2024 class to commit to UK after center Somto Cyril did the so last summer. But with a diverse scoring skill set, willingness to distribute and an ability to handle primary ball-handling responsibilities, Fland’s addition provided a foundational element to UK’s recruiting haul.

Just look at the players that arrived after Fland’s commitment: Guard Travis Perry (an in-state sharpshooter), center Jayden Quaintance (an outside-in big) and wing Billy Richmond (who boasts versatility on both ends of the floor) have all followed Fland to Lexington.

The Herald-Leader caught up with Fland this month at the prestigious Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts, to reflect on what gave UK the edge ahead of Alabama and Indiana in his college decision.

Fland’s answer struck a familiar tone.

“You know, it’s just Coach Cal was honest with me. He said I’ll come in and I’ve got to work. It’s you versus you when you get ready, and that’s what I needed, you know?” Fland explained. “You need somebody to push you, you need somebody who’s going to tell you that you’ve got to go get it yourself. Nobody’s going to baby you at the next level, so just that. And all the guys that (Calipari’s) produced? Sheesh.”

“He wants others to do well. He’s not a ball hog,” added Patrick Massaroni, Fland’s high school coach. “And Kentucky fans and Big Blue Nation I know will be excited when he gets there.”

Boogie Fland leads by example ahead of Kentucky arrival

Fland has long been considered an elite prospect in the 2024 recruiting class.

In addition to his recent recognition as a Burger Boy, a bevy of recent rankings updates have seen Fland, a five-star prospect, rise to become the No. 17 overall player in this year’s recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite.

A shining example of his potential came at Hoophall, as he posted a well-rounded 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a nationally televised win over Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey).

Many of Fland’s strongest attributes were on display in the victory: He went 4-for-8 from 3-point range, pushed the pace in transition on offense and used active hands on defense.

(He’s) a three-level scorer. You know, at the rim, mid-range, you saw some stepbacks today and then from 3,” Massaroni said postgame. “He doesn’t get credit for the ability to guard and defend and share the ball.”

But the most telling moments from Fland’s performance came on defense.

Don Bosco boasts 6-foot-6 combo guard Dylan Harper, an elite college and pro prospect who is ranked as the No. 3 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class by the 247Sports Composite.

Harper — a son of longtime NBA player Ron Harper and who is following in his older brother’s footsteps by pledging to go to Rutgers — is a complete player, the kind that’s difficult to stop with his blend of positional size and offensive skill.

He’s also close friends with Fland.

Still, it was Fland who often took on the challenge of guarding Harper in their marquee Hoophall Classic matchup, played in front of a packed arena filled with college coaches and NBA scouts.

“When your best player comes out 17-8-4 and says ... ‘Let me go guard Dylan.’ Who, they’re good friends, best friends, just shows the type of leadership and the level he’s taken his game to,” Massaroni said of Fland. “I think the biggest jump, for my staff to him, his last season has been how can you become a leader. It’s not always vocally, you’ve got to show (it) ... That’s who he is as a person.”

Harper certainly still got his: To the tune of 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists, but he also committed a game-high five turnovers.

What did Fland think he showed by taking on the responsibility of guarding his friend?

“That’s just the dog in me,” he said. “You want to compete? I’m going to do what I do. You’re going to have to go through me if you want to win. ... It’s me versus you.”

With a few months left in his already distinguished prep career, there remain several areas of focus for Fland that have been communicated to him by the Kentucky coaching staff.

One of those is his body.

“Very physical, players (that have) been there five years, six years,” Fland said of college basketball. “So you’ve got to be ready to take those hits, take those bumps.”

A self-appointed area of focus for Fland has been controlling the pace of the game

“Not trying to force anything,” he said.

And while that can obviously apply to the tempo with which Fland plays, that statement can also be attributed to the comfort he found in Lexington with Calipari’s program.

Kentucky’s success in developing guards and preparing them for the NBA is unmatched: Fland cited both Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley as UK guards who stuck out to him in recent program history.

But when asked why he had trust in Kentucky for what could be a one-and-done season of college basketball, Fland spoke about how Calipari put him at ease.

“He said, ‘You come in, and be you.’ ... He basically said I could come in there and be myself,” Fland said. “Why not go to that program, go to that coach or where the coaches are believing in me to do what I do?

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