BREAKING: 5-star '24 PG Boogie Fland announces commitment to Kentucky

John Calipari has landed the top-ranked point guard from the 2024 class. Johnuel “Boogie” Fland is a Wildcat.

Fland announced his commitment to Kentucky on Friday afternoon at his New York-based high school, Archbishop Stepinac, where he picked the ‘Cats over Indiana and Alabama. The 6-foot-3 floor general is considered the No. 15 overall prospect and No. 1 point guard in the senior class, per On3’s rankings. He’s the second ’24 commit for Kentucky, joining four-star center Somto Cyril.

“I chose Kentucky because of the history of success with the guards that have come through there,” Fland told On3’s Joe Tipton. “Coach Cal is going to challenge me to be the best version of myself.  He didn’t promise me anything, playing time, shots, etc. He only promised me a chance to compete and fight! The first fight is with myself every day and I’m betting on me! BBN BABY, LET’S DO IT!”

And the crowd goes wild! Boogie Fland picks Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/obwP2UhGaK

— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) October 20, 2023

Calipari went all-in on Fland down the stretch of his recruitment. Not long after hosting Fland for his official visit in mid-September, Calipari then paid Fland three different in-person visits over the span of a few weeks. Indiana appeared to have momentum entering the week, but the Kentucky staff landed the final punch.

Welcome to the Big Blue Nation, Boogie.

Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board. New members can try 1 month for $1.

Learn more about Boogie Fland

Fland has been a national recruit since last spring. Kentucky officially extended him a scholarship in July 2022 after watching him shine for Team USA in the U17 FIBA World Cup over in Spain. Calipari made the trip overseas to watch Fland with his own eyes, which ultimately led to the offer. Their relationship blossomed from there.

Fland mostly kept his recruitment close to the vest. He was consistent in trimming down his list of finalists, but there was never a true sense of who the leader was up until the night before his announcement. Michigan, North Carolina, Maryland, UConn, and St. John’s were all at one point involved, as well. In the end, it came down to Kentucky and Indiana.

Over the summer, Fland was one of 84 players to compete at the USA Basketball Junior National Team October Minicamp in Colorado Springs, CO. He was named the fourth-best performer at the event by On3’s Jamie Shaw, who was on location to check out all the action. Prior to that, Fland suited up for the PSA Cardinals on the Nike EYBL circuit. He shined in the pre-Peach Jam sessions, averaging 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on shooting splits of 43.5/33.3/77.5.

Okay, so what about the nickname “Boogie”? How did that come about? I thought you might ask… He actually told the story of how he earned that fun moniker at last year’s Peach Jam. And no, it didn’t come from former Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins, who is also nicknamed “Boogie”. Fland has his mother to thank for being known as Boogie, which dates back to his childhood.

“She gave me the name Boogie because they would form a circle around me and I would start dancing out of nowhere when the music came on,” Fland told KSR last summer. “So that’s where it came from and it stuck around. It got more popular than my real name.”

On the hardwood, Kentucky is getting a versatile backcourt prospect.

“Boogie Fland is a score-first point guard with elite shot-making ability off of the dribble,” KSR’s Brandon Ramsey says. “The 6’3” guard creates separation consistently with a tight handle, great pace, and quick-twitch change of direction. His scoring ability is what made him into a five-star prospect, but his all-around playmaking ability is what elevated him to become the number one point guard in the Class of 2024.”

Calipari said earlier this week that the 2024 recruiting class was “looking good” for Kentucky. With Fland now in the fold, who could next for the Wildcats?