All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball in Mix for Top Undecided Point Guard

Boogie Fland looks to be the only remaining UNC basketball target on the 2024 recruiting trail.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)
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Only one uncommitted 2024 recruit still holding a UNC basketball offer hasn't eliminated the Tar Heels from contention.

And at least in the eyes of On3's Jamie Shaw, that player, Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) five-star Boogie Fland, is the No. 1 point guard remaining on the board in the 2024 recruiting cycle:

In other words, the Tar Heels' pursuit of Fland should maintain its high-profile status until he decides on a destination. At least for now, there's no definitive timeline for that, although it wouldn't be a surprise if an announcement comes before the early signing period in November.

As for 247Sports, it lists Fland as a combo guard, with the 6-foot-3, 165-pound speedster and volume scorer ranking No. 2 among that group and No. 9 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite.

Meanwhile, only one prediction for Fland exists thus far between the 247Sports Crystal Ball, On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, and Rivals FutureCast. That pick, courtesy of an expert at Rivals, points to St. John's as the favorite, yet keep in mind that it popped up way back in March.

Much has happened in the Boogie Fland sweepstakes since.

Six weeks ago, he named a final eight of UNC, Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, St. John's, and UConn. And he has since scheduled September official visits to Kentucky, Alabama, and Maryland.

Speaking of Maryland, Rivals' Rob Cassidy recently noted that it's wise not to count out the "intriguing underdog" Terrapins — or any other finalists, for that matter — in what has been a relatively quiet recruitment in recent weeks:

"Nobody thinks Maryland is leading for Fland, but somebody close to the five-star guard recently referred to the Terps as 'making a little push' in a contested recruitment. If Maryland is to pull off what would be a massive upset, Fland's Sept. 26 visit to College Park will have to go swimmingly. Head coach Kevin Willard's chances here feel better now than they did a few months back, but actually pulling this off will still take a perfect visit and a bit of luck..."

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his crew were the first to host Boogie Fland for an official visit. However, that trip was last fall, and there's not yet been any word on a return visit to Chapel Hill being in the works.

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He's also been to Michigan and Indiana for official visits and checked out UConn and St. John's unofficially.

Considering all of the above, pinpointing any frontrunner feels nearly impossible.

But here's the latest scouting report on Fland from Jamie Shaw, confirming the game-changer qualities that the explosive athlete and heats-up-in-a-hurry sharpshooter will bring to whichever program he ultimately chooses:

"Boogie Fland plays with a New York flair. He has a good handle and is able to shoot the ball from each level. He has deep range off the bounce and will pull up if you give him an inch. He sees the floor well, gets his teammates involved, and takes care of the ball, valuing possessions. There is a floater game in there as well, with a one and two dribble pull-up. He will need to continue getting stronger...The confidence is sky-high, and the skill set is obvious...Never afraid of the spotlight. Charismatic."

The three-deep 2024 UNC basketball recruiting haul still ranks No. 1 in the country, per 247Sports.

But even if the Tar Heels land Fland, they might not finish in the top spot. Their Duke basketball rivals could prevail with the potential addition of top-ranked prep Cooper Flagg and another finishing touch. Or Rutgers could overtake that spot with a commitment from five-star guard and No. 2 overall prospect Dylan Harper.

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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