Bronx native Boogie Fland, who performs NCAA Division One basketball for Arkansas, is likely one of the league’s high freshmen and is predicted to be a first-round NBA draft decide.
Photograph courtesy Steinlight Media LLC
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Bronx native Johnuel “Boogie” Fland, who performs basketball for the College of Arkansas as one of many high freshman standouts, is headed to Madison Sq. Backyard on Tuesday for a match recreation he known as “must-see TV.”
“It’s gonna be electric,” stated Fland in an interview with the Bronx Occasions.
The Jimmy V Traditional — a doubleheader match named for legendary coach Jim Valvano, who died of most cancers in 1993 at age 47 — will likely be performed at MSG as a part of Jimmy V Week, which raises cash for most cancers analysis. Miami and Tennessee play at 6:30 p.m. with Arkansas taking over Michigan afterwards at 9 p.m. The video games will air on ESPN.
Arkansas has a 7-2 report as of Dec. 7 and is 14th within the Southeastern Convention (SEC). The Michigan Wolverines are 7-1, ranked seventh within the Large Ten.
Photograph courtesy Steinlight Media LLC
The Jimmy V Traditional could also be a uncommon likelihood for New Yorkers to see Fland play earlier than he’s drafted into the NBA — which is all however sure to occur subsequent 12 months.
In his younger school profession, he has already turned loads of heads. He got here to Arkansas as a top-rated level guard out of Archbishop Stepinac Excessive Faculty in White Plains, and his debut recreation towards basketball powerhouse Kansas was “nothing short of spectacular,” based on Sports activities Illustrated.
Fland additionally garnered latest consideration for his clutch efficiency within the Dec. 3 recreation towards Miami, the place he scored 18 factors, together with a go-ahead three-point shot within the comeback win.
Not dangerous for a child from the Bronx, who grew up on East one hundred and seventieth Avenue and Grand Concourse taking part in AAU ball. Fland’s family and friends are nonetheless within the Bronx, and he makes it again to the borough fairly usually, he stated.
Popping out of highschool, Fland initially dedicated to the College of Kentucky, however when Naismith Corridor of Fame coach John Calipari resigned to teach for Arkansas as an alternative, Fland adopted. Fland stated he has an excellent relationship with Calipari.
“He cares,” he stated. “[Calipari] said nothing was gonna be handed, I have to go take it. And that’s kind of how the world works.”
Shifting to Fayetteville, Arkansas, was a reasonably large adjustment for a Bronx man, however Fland known as it “an adjustment for the greater,” because the quieter life has helped him focus extra on basketball. “I’m actually liking it over here, I love it. The fans are great, the people are great.”
As a freshman, he’s taking normal courses and likewise fascinated by restarting a clothes line he used to have, which he stated expresses “the swagger that comes from being in New York and the Bronx.”
Fland stated he juggles all his duties by “staying focused on the main thing.” “I’ve been doing hoops and school for a long time, so I know how to balance the two,” he stated.
Photograph courtesy Steinlight Media LLC
As for his NBA goals, Fland stated he has no splendid place to land — and wouldn’t even specify the New York Knicks. “Whichever [team] is best for me,” he’ll be pleased with, he stated. “I’m just happy I got myself into this position, to have a chance to even do that.”
Of taking part in with the Knicks sometime, “If it happens, it happens,” Fland stated with fun.
He needs to have an extended profession, be a constructive affect on younger folks and meet extra folks within the basketball world. “Not a lot of people in New York have opportunities like these.”
His recommendation to younger gamers rising up within the Bronx? “Just keep working, you know. These opportunities are created by the ones before you. … You got people rooting for you, and stay true to yourself.”
Between the chance to play at Madison Sq. Backyard and his NBA goals probably quickly to return true, Fland stated he’s grateful to have come this far. “These are the greatest times of my life right now.”
