Ex-Arkansas guard Fland commits to Florida

Former five-star recruit Boogie Fland will play his sophomore season for head coach Todd Golden at Florida, he told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday.

Fland was the second-highest-ranked point guard and the 16th overall recruit in ESPN's 2024 rankings. He was initially going to play at Kentucky but decommitted after head coach John Calipari left for Arkansas. Fland was one of several Kentucky recruits and players to follow Calipari to Fayetteville.

The 6-foot-3 point guard averaged 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 21 games with the Razorbacks while shooting 37.9% from the field and 34% from deep.

Fland underwent hand surgery in late January but returned for Arkansas' Sweet 16 run. He struggled in his three post-surgery appearances, totaling 12 points in March Madness. Fland only played nine minutes in Arkansas' season-ending overtime loss to Texas Tech.

The 18-year-old tested for the NBA draft but withdrew his name from consideration last week.

Florida's backcourt will look very different from its national title-winning campaign. Alijah Martin, Walter Clayton Jr., and Will Richard have all turned professional. Key reserve Denzel Aberdeen is transferring to Kentucky.

In addition to Fland, Florida has also acquired fellow transfer guards Xaivian Lee from Princeton and AJ Brown from Ohio.

Starting center Rueben Chinyelu tested for the NBA but reportedly withdrew his name and will be returning to Gainesville for his junior campaign. Chinyelu's frontcourt partner, Alex Condon, is still going through the draft process.

Florida rewarded Golden with a six-year contract extension worth $40.5 million after he led the Gators to their third-ever NCAA Tournament title last season.