re: Arkansas Basketball 2024 (and beyond) Recruiting Thread **TR F Trevon Brazile Returns**

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As it turns out, it didn't take much convincing for composite five-star guard Boogie Fland to follow John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas.

On Wednesday, the 6-foot-2 guard from White Plains (N.Y.) Archbishop Stepinac took an official visit to Fayetteville and by the time he touched down back in New York on Thursday night he had committed.

Fland spoke to 247Sports a day before leaving for Arkansas and said that Calipari's approach was much the same as it was when he initially committed to play for him at Kentucky.

"Coach Cal is telling me the same stuff since he recruited me at Kentucky" said Fland. "He wants me to come play for him and come play at Arkansas."

Ranked No. 26 overall by 247Sports.com and No. 19 in the industry generated composite rankings, Fland is a versatile guard who can run offense, get others involved and score at all three levels. He is most definitely a scoring point guard and his high school coach Patrick Massaroni says Arkansas fans should be very excited about Fland.

"Arkansas fans are going to be excited for a player like Boogie," said Massaroni. " (He's) a three level scorer, extremely quick with the ball and has unlimited range. Who at times does not mind being a pass first type guard."

Fland is the second high school player from the class of 2024 to follow Calipari to Arkansas thus far and joins fellow McDonald's All-American Kevin Knox. He's not likely to be the last to do so and wing Billy Richmond looks like he could be the next in line.

Shortly before the beginning of his senior year, 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein included this in his evaluation of Fland.

"Fland has spent most of his high school career playing off the ball, but has developed into a reliable secondary ball-handler who has become increasingly capable of initiating offense with the ball in his hands. He has pace with the ball, both in the open floor and coming off ball-screens, a good left hand, and has definitely gotten tighter with his handle over the years.

Defensively, Fland has the long arms, quick hands, and feet to be effective. He defends with a playmaking mindset that leads to a high steal rate (1.7/game), and has untapped potential as someone who can pick-up and pressure the ball away from the basket.

Overall, Fland is a skilled shooter, who bases his game off his ability to make tough shots right now. As he continues to build up his body and learns to impact the game in other ways, he's only going to become more efficient.

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WHAT ARKANSAS IS GETTING

One of the highest-upside guards in the 2024 class, Fland’s current battle is with consistency of performance. That said, when he’s good he’s great and the good outings have far outnumbered the underwhelming ones during his high school career. At all of 6-foot-3, Fland is incredibly skilled and is a certified shot-maker from all three levels, including three-point range, an area from which he’s taken over a number of high-level games over the years. While he’s long been known for his ability to score off the dribble, Fland’s handle has improved even more over the last year and allows him to play either guard spot and look comfortable while doing so. He still needs to add more muscle, but the fact that he’s one of the younger prospects in the 2024 class is encouraging on that front. Fland is comfortable leading an up-tempo offense and is at his best when not trying to do too much from a facilitation standpoint. Defensively, his length, IQ and wing-span should serve him well as he beefs up his upper body, allowing him to guard multiple positions down the road. Fland averaged 15 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.8 APG to go along with three turnovers per contest in 17 EYBL games this season. He shot 43% from the floor on the season. The Archbishop Stepinac star has shined brightly this spring as well, dictating pace and putting his teammates in position to succeed at this year’s McDonald’s All-American Game. Fland’s performance trajectory seems positive as he speeds toward the start of his college career at Arkansas.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE RAZORBACKS

Calipari being able to effortlessly move his five-star point guard from Kentucky to Arkansas says a lot about the level at which the legendary head coach intends to recruit at his new school, The efficiency at which he got this deal done is reason for heightened optimism. It certainly doesn’t seem like much of Calipari’s shine has faded now that celebrated head coach is without the backing of the Kentucky brand, as he clearly has the resources to continue swimming in the recruiting pool’s deepest waters. What takes place on the floor this season will do a lot to determine if this kind of recruiting success compounds, but landing Fland Is a good sign for Razorback fans hoping their new head coach will continue to sign the blue chip talent he routinely recruited at his previous stop.

COACH’S CORNER

“Boogie is an extremely talented player who has worked really hard to be in this position today. He will bring an ability to not only score the ball but compete, defend and get others involved playing on or off the ball. He has a bright future ahead of him and will have to continue to work to reach his dreams. His game continues to improve on a daily basis and he is an even better kid and human off the court.” -- Archbishop Stepinac head coach Patrick Massaroni

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Former Kentucky forward Adou Thiero, a projected first-round NBA draft pick in 2025, is following John Calipari and will transfer to Arkansas, he told ESPN on Monday.

Thiero considered a long list of schools, narrowing it down last month to Pitt, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina and the Razorbacks.

"I started with Coach Cal and want to see it through with him," he said. "Very excited to join the family and ready to get to work."

A 6-foot-8 forward from Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, Thiero is ranked No. 27 in ESPN's 2025 NBA draft rankings. He started 19 games this past season for Calipari at Kentucky, averaging 7.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in 21.3 minutes. Some of the sophomore's biggest games came in the Wildcats' toughest games, putting up 16 points and 13 rebounds against Kansas in the Champions Classic; 15 points, five boards and three blocks against Gonzaga; and 14 points and eight rebounds in a win over Auburn.

Thiero took a clear step forward from his freshman season, when he averaged 2.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 20 games.

His development under Calipari and familiarity with the Hall of Fame head coach gave Arkansas the edge for his commitment.

"He's known for putting guys in the NBA that also stay in the NBA and coach Kenny Payne, who is now with him again, was also there for some of those years," Thiero said. "After already playing for him and developing after two years, I feel that he knows my game and will put me in the right position to succeed and achieve my goals."

Thiero becomes the fifth player to follow Calipari from Lexington to Fayetteville, joining incoming freshmen Boogie Fland, Karter Knox and Billy Richmond, and rising sophomore center Zvonimir Ivisic. The Razorbacks are also bringing in top-five transfer Johnell Davis from Florida Atlantic and all-SEC big man Jonas Aidoo from Tennessee.

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