Five-star guard Boogie Fland picks Kentucky over Indiana - ESPN

Five-star guard Boogie Fland announced his commitment Friday, picking John Calipari and Kentucky over Indiana.

Alabama was also on Fland's final list of three, but this became a Kentucky vs. Indiana battle over the past few weeks. The Hoosiers appeared to be in the driver's seat down the stretch, but Calipari and the Wildcats finished strong and won over Fland.

«The visit played a big part in my decision,» Fland told ESPN. «It was fantastic. It blew me away. The setup there is incredible; the gym is right next to the housing lodge. My host was D.J. Wagner. We played USA Basketball together and bonded. On my visit, I watched practice and workouts. You go against the best every day, and that's what I want.»

Since Fland visited in early September, Kentucky consistently sent multiple coaches to Archbishop Stepinac High School in New York to watch the talented guard and make him a priority. Calipari and Fland developed a strong relationship during the process.

«He is a Hall of Fame coach who cares about his players,» Fland said. «When he gave his Hall of Fame speech, his former players and coaches were up on the stage with him. He only wants the best for you. Off the court, he is a funny guy. He has a lot of jokes, and they are spot on.

»He told me this decision was like a marriage. You need to say, 'I do.'"

A 6-foot-3 guard, Fland is the No. 2 point guard in the 2024 class, ranking No. 18 overall in the ESPN 100 for 2024. In 22 games this past spring and summer with the PSA Cardinals, Fland averaged 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Fland, who said he studies Darius Garland, Jamal Murray, Kyrie Irving and Sharife Cooper, won a gold medal with USA Basketball at the FIBA U17 World Championships in 2022. He played in