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5-Star SG Boogie Fland Joins John Calipari, Arkansas After Kentucky Decommit

Timothy Rapp

New Arkansas head coach John Calipari has another Kentucky flip.

Fland, a 5-star combo guard who previously signed a National Letter of Intent with the Wildcats, requested to be released from that commitment after Calipari left Kentucky to sign on with the Razorbacks.

And Collin Ginnan of On3 reported Thursday that Fland was committing to Arkansas.

Fland, a 6'2" and 170-pound guard from Archbishop Stepinac, is considered the No. 19 prospect overall in the Class of 2024, the No. 2 combo guard and the No. 3 player from the state of New York, according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings.

Adam Finklestein of the scouting site called Fland a "skilled guard whose biggest asset is his ability to shoot the basketball," though he's "developed into a reliable secondary ball-handler who has become increasingly capable of initiating offense with the ball in his hands."

Calipari has long been renowned for his recruiting ability, and he's already managed to bring both Fland and Karter Knox—a 5-star small forward who is considered the No. 22 overall player in the Class of 2024, per 247Sports' Composite Rankings—from Kentucky to Arkansas with him.

Zvonimir Ivisic, a 4-star center, is also transferring from Kentucky to Arkansas.

"I made the lifetime decision to come to college for [a] few reasons," Ivisic wrote in a statement. "Main ones to win a national championship and go to the NBA. Monumental part of that decision was coach Cal, and no one does both of those at the same time than him. That's why I am excited to announce that I am committing to coach Cal and Arkansas Razorbacks."

The Razorbacks now have the No. 24 overall recruiting class in 2024, per 247Sports. The Calipari Effect is in full swing.

Granted, Kentucky fans will note that Calipari struggled turning talented recruiting classes into legitimate contenders in recent seasons. Kentucky hasn't gotten past the first weekend of the NCAA tournament since the 2018-19 season, last reached the Final Four in the 2014-15 campaign and hasn't won a title since 2011-12.

Arkansas will be hoping a change of scenery does both Coach Cal and the Razorbacks a world of good. He's certainly bringing some talent with him.

   

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