Boogie Fland looking for player development, chemistry in college decision

It was a wildly productive weekend for 2024 five-star guard Boogie Fland, who proved himself once again he was one of his class’s fiercest competitors at the Pangos All-American Camp in Las Vegas. The 6-foot-3 playmaker out of Harlem, NY closed out the three-day event averaging an impressive 18.0 points, 5.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per contest while shooting 42.4% from the field and 35.3% from three.

His presence led to three wins for his camp squad out of four tries, the lone loss being a last-second upset loss in the last game set on the final day. Fland was then invited to the Pangos Top 30 Cream of the Crop Game, the all-star event to close out camp.

In the midst of the chaos in Vegas, KSR caught up with the Kentucky target to get an update on his recruitment. Has his official visit to Lexington been scheduled? What other programs does he want to see? And what will the program Fland chooses be getting in him as a player?

Check out KSR’s complete Q&A session with the five-star guard below.

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What is it like competing in an environment like this one at Pangos?

It’s been great, you know? Being able to showcase your talent and your competitiveness, doing it against high-level guys. You’ve got to want this.

What do fans need to know about your game?

I’m a leader, heart of the team who is looking to do whatever it takes to win. I’m going to hit the three ball, I can dish and I’m a three-level scorer.

What would you say your weaknesses are at this point as a player?

I feel like you need to improve on every aspect of your game. Even if you’re doing things right, there are things you can do to get better.

What is your why? Why are you playing basketball and pursuing the NBA?

I love basketball and I want a better life for myself and my family. I’ve just always wanted to get to the NBA, that has always been a dream of mine. And it’s not just about getting to the NBA, it’s about getting that second contract and having a career. I want to do this on the big stage.

Where did the nickname Boogie come from?

I used to dance as a little kid, so my mom always used to call me Boogie. And it just stuck.

How is your recruitment going? Any new schools going after you?

Tennessee has reached out, that’s a new one. But my recruitment has been going well, all of the other same schools that have been recruiting me (Oregon, Alabama, UConn, North Carolina, Michigan and Indiana, among others).

What were your most recent visits?

UNC and Michigan. They were good, they went well. I enjoyed those two. Michigan was chill, good vibes there. And I like their coaching style. UNC was the same thing, good vibes there.

Where do things stand with Kentucky? Have you scheduled your visit to Lexington yet?

I’m planning on a visit to Kentucky in September. That’s when I felt I could get the full effect. We don’t want to rush anything, we want it to be perfect. With this new rule of one official visit (per school), you’ve got to make it count.

What do you know about the UK program?

They are a winning program under Coach Cal, you know? He came in and had an immediate impact on the entire university and on the fan base, everything. They’ve got the No. 1 recruiting class coming in, so it’s good.

Are you watching that group closely to see how the freshmen mesh?

Most definitely. How you’re able to bring in five freshmen and how they develop, how you get them ready for the next level, that’s important.

What other schools are you looking to visit?

Oregon, UConn, Alabama, a couple of other schools, I’m gonna try to get those set up.

What can you say about the Oregon program?

Winning program with a great coaching staff. They want me at their school.

And Indiana?

Jalen Hood-Schifino, he’s going top 20. How he came in and how they helped him come in and make an impact at their school, that’s pretty big. He was a freshman who came in and played a lot of minutes, played with tempo and had control of the team. He was able to come in and do what he had to do.

What about Alabama?

They had two freshmen in Noah Clowney and Brandon Miller, projected as high draft picks. They both improved their stock while they were there. And just the way they work with their players, player development is high. They’re winning too, just came off a Sweet 16.

UConn?

They are the national champs and that speaks for itself. They invest in their players, got Jordan Hawkins going to the league, projected in the first round. Adama Sanogo, how they developed him. He couldn’t shoot threes at the beginning of the season, but how many did he shoot by the end of the year? He hit a couple in the Final Four. It’s about player development and they win. They’re the champs. You can never take that away from them.

How important is player development for you when choosing a school?

Most definitely, because that’s where you want to get to. You want to get to the point where you’re ready to take that next step, take that leap. Whether that’s in one year or in four years, you want to go somewhere that is going to push your talent to the fullest.

Anything else that will play a part in your decision?

You always want to go somewhere you feel comfortable and where you fit in, how you fit in with the program. It’s about how all of it fits together, you with the team and the team with you.

You mentioned before you didn’t have a timeline for a decision, but wouldn’t unnecessarily rush or drag things out. Any update on that?

Yeah, absolutely. It’s the same thing. I’m just looking for when the time is right.

What will the school you choose be getting as a player?

A leader, that’s the main thing. Someone who is going to come in and make an impact. I’m not going to care about any points, not care about any stats. I just want to come in and do what’s necessary to win and be a successful program, do what I have to do.

What do fans not know about you off the floor?

I’m a funny guy, I’ll tell you that much. People might think my jokes are corny, but I’m funny. You’re just going to get a good guy, good vibes. I like to interact with the fans, love the environment and love the people.