Arkansas freshman and former five-star recruit, Boogie Fland, is entering the transfer portal, according to sources who spoke with ESPN. However, his primary focus remains on the upcoming NBA draft, and this move is primarily to maintain his options.
During the first half of the season, Fland showcased impressive skills, averaging an outstanding 15.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.5% from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, a hand injury sustained in mid-January sidelined him for a significant portion of the season. While he returned for the NCAA tournament, his role was limited.
Despite the injury impacting his latter half performance, Fland’s early-season success had him ranked as high as No. 32 in ESPN’s NBA draft rankings. While he wasn’t included in the most recent mock draft, his decision to enter the transfer portal before the deadline allows him to keep all his options open should he choose to pursue another college season.
Arkansas coach John Calipari’s recently announced expected roster did not include Fland, suggesting the program was preparing for his departure. The Razorbacks are expected to welcome back key players like D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile, and Billy Richmond III, and also add top-10 recruits Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas. They’ve also secured Malique Ewin and Nick Pringle from the transfer portal. This suggests a strong foundation for the team moving forward, even without Fland.
Ultimately, Boogie Fland’s decision reflects his ambitions to enter the professional ranks. While the transfer portal provides a safety net, the NBA draft remains his ultimate goal. The coming months will be crucial in determining his next steps, and the basketball world will be watching closely.
