FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas freshman point guard Boogie Fland announced plans to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft via social media Friday afternoon.
“Thank you to all my fans and supporters, this year has been nothing short of unforgettable,” Fland said in an Instagram post. “Returning to the team for March Madness and competing alongside my brothers was an experience I’ll cherish forever. Much love to Razorback Nation, Coach Calipari & the entire coaching staff and every one of my teammates for believing in me.”
Coming out of high school, Fland had committed to Kentucky and followed Coach John Calipari from the Wildcats to Arkansas last offseason. He was a 5-star recruit out of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y.
He started 18 of the Razorbacks’ 36 games this season, appearing 21 times overall. He averaged 31.7 minutes, 13.5 points, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 turnovers per game. This week he was named a freshman All-American by CollegeInsider.com and was a finalist for the Kyle Macy Award for the nation’s top freshman.
Fland injured his right (shooting) thumb in a Jan. 11 home loss to No. 8 Florida and played through it for two games. Then he had his UCL surgically repaired and missed the next 15 games.
He returned for the NCAA Tournament and played in all three games of the Razorbacks’ run to the Sweet 16 off the bench — the only times he didn’t start in games he played this season. He totaled 52 minutes and 12 points. In an opening win over Kansas, he recorded three assists and three steals in 23 minutes of his first game action in two months.
Fland is at No. 44 in the Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft released March 31, dropping 17 spots from the previous release. He was knocked for his athleticism and size when finishing at the rim, yet lauded for his ball-handling, creation, shot-making and playmaking.
Teammate Adou Thiero, who was also injured and practically out for the last month of the season, was listed at No. 39 to the Toronto Raptors by the Bleacher Report. The junior has not officially declared.
Assuming Fland does not eventually return, it marks the fourth offseason departure for the Razorbacks.
Fland would then join the lengthy list of one-and-done players — 35 — Calipari has coached. Of those, 19 are classified as guards, like Fland.
Before this season began, ESPN predicted Fland would be taken 36th overall in the second round. The latest ESPN projections from mid-March had Fland at 38th, six picks higher than Bleacher Report.
Regardless of Fland’s destination, if it isn’t back with the Hogs, Calipari is already prepped with incoming talent at the point guard position for next season. Darius Acuff Jr., a 6-2 highest-rated point guard in the country, per 247Sports, signed his national letter of intent to Arkansas.
The NBA Draft will be held June 25-26 in Brooklyn, N.Y., across the East River from the Bronx, where Fland was born.
“To my family, especially my mom and dad — thank you for all of the sacrifices you’ve made for me to be in this position,” Fland continued on his Instagram post. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Hank Layton)
