All Tar Heels

Former 2024 UNC Basketball Target Commits to Kentucky

UNC basketball reeled in commitments from over half the prospects it has targeted in the 2024 class.

Matt Giles

Former UNC basketball recruiting target Boogie Fland (Brooks Holton-USA TODAY Sports)
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For almost a year, from the time the offer went out until a month or two ago, UNC basketball looked like a top contender for five-star point guard Boogie Fland out of Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.), the same prep powerhouse that produced current Tar Heel senior RJ Davis.

In July, Fland put UNC in his top eight, along with Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, UConn, St. John's, and Michigan.

But the mutual interest fizzled. Then, at the end of September, the 6-foot-2, 170-pound high school senior, now No. 20 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, effectively eliminated the Tar Heels from the conversation by revealing a final three of Alabama, Kentucky, and Indiana.

On Friday, Boogie Fland announced his commitment to Kentucky. According to a post from ESPN's Jeff Borzello shortly after his announcement, Fland is John Calipari's 15th five-star commitment at point guard since he became Kentucky basketball head coach in 2009. Yes, that's an average of one per year for the recruiting giant.

Meanwhile, UNC's 2024 haul consists of Our Saviour Lutheran (N.Y.) five-star shooting guard Ian Jackson, Northwood (N.C.) five-star small forward Drake Powell, and Link Academy (Mo.) four-star center James Brown. They boast No. 10, 12, and 64 composite rankings, respectively.

And the class remains at No. 2 in the nation, per 247Sports' rating, but with no other reported targets on the Tar Heels' board.

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Remarkably, third-year UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his cohorts landed three of the five 2024 prospects they offered. The only documented "recruiting losses" in the cycle came in their pursuits of Boogie Fland and five-star shooting guard Cam Scott (committed to Texas).

That 3-for-5 mark stands as Davis' best.

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Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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