Boogie Fland, a projected first-round decide within the 2025 NBA Draft (No. 20 on our newest Mixture Mock Draft), is shortly making a reputation for himself as a freshman underneath John Calipari in his first yr teaching Arkansas after leaving Kentucky.
Standing at about 6-foot-2 and weighing just below 180 kilos, Fland will draw comparisons to a former Calipari-coached guard Rob Dillingham, the eighth total decide in final yr’s draft, or a little-known guard drafted out of Vanderbilt named Darius Garland.
Identified for his capturing contact, poise, playmaking and his capability to thrive each on-ball and off-ball, Fland is already showcasing his potential as a future NBA guard.
Following a clutch efficiency in opposition to Miami, Fland spoke with HoopsHype and mirrored on the beginning of his true freshman season, his capability to shut video games, his playstyle, taking part in in high-intensity conditions early within the yr and extra.
Boogie Fland: I imply, they have been displaying, it was sizzling hedging. So simply swinging the ball, swinging it from one facet to the opposite, after which getting it again after which play it down the stretch. I imply, that’s all I can do, simply attempt to get the W for my crew.
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BF: I imply, it exhibits us what we are able to do, what we might be. We dropped out of the Prime 25, we’re simply making an attempt to get again into it and maintain making an attempt to circulation with the crew.
BF: Spirit, depth, simply choosing it up. Once we go up, having that love for one another, and simply looking for our means. It’s nonetheless early within the season, making an attempt to get higher daily, sport by sport.
BF: Simply maintain going, I imply, basketball’s a sport of runs. They’re gonna make runs, or undoubtedly did make runs within the first half. Simply come again second half with extra depth, extra spirit, and simply maintain going all through the sport.
BF: I imply, identical to you stated, taking part in again in New York, my hometown, simply popping out with a W there. I’m not altering something, not going to a lot. Simply stick with the sport, taking part in to fall in love with what we do.
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BF: I imply, that’s basketball. Basketball’s a crew sport. Can’t do it by your self, it’s positive with the individuals on the ground. Simply staying with them is what we do. Staying with the crew.
BF: I imply, it’s only a mindset. I’ve been doing this my entire life. That is what I’ve to work with, I’m not making ready for this. I’ve to for the crew additionally. It’s the one factor we do.
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BF: I imply, it’s simply facet execution, sticking with it, holding my comply with via. Stuff like that. There’s little solutions that you simply gotta do to maintain the shot from perfection. I simply really feel like I gotta keep it up.
BF: Most undoubtedly, it’s an extended season. We’re looking for our groove. That is sport quantity eight. It’s nonetheless an extended season to go. I really feel like, such as you stated, simply scratching the floor. Staying assured on the market. When the shot’s not falling, what else are you able to do? However simply maintain capturing.
BF: In fact, these groups I really feel like that get put into these conditions, make it far in March Insanity, and I really feel like that’s what we wanna do.
BF: I imply, simply maintain going. Each sport is a tough sport. You gotta come to it with the identical depth, similar spirit. You gotta rise up for each sport. You could have a nasty sport, you gotta maintain going. You simply gotta maintain going. It’s an extended season. Maintain working.
BF: Positively didn’t get down. I really feel like Illinois was like a wake-up second for us. I really feel like we have been lackadaisical via the beginning. They got here out positive. They got here out wanting it greater than us. They have been simply hungrier, and that woke us up.
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BF: I really feel like there’s room for enchancment in every single place. I’m in school now, so simply making the proper reads, getting all people else concerned, being a pacesetter. I really feel like I received to step up extra as a pacesetter position, particularly being a freshman and having a degree guard position for a giant, huge crew.
