All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Not Among Five-Star Target's Reported Contenders

It appears UNC basketball is no longer a player for Boogie Fland.

Matt Giles

Photo: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Although the UNC basketball staff once looked like a top suitor for Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) point guard Boogie Fland, there hadn't been much recent buzz about the Tar Heels' pursuit in the high-profile recruitment.

Now, all signs say UNC head coach Hubert Davis and his crew have either exited the race or been eliminated.

On Thursday morning, 247Sports' Dushawn London posted that Fland is now "focused on three programs" in Alabama, Indiana, and Kentucky. And hours later, Rivals' Justin Rowland reported that the 6-foot-3, 165-pound electric five-star had named those three his finalists.

The final eight that Boogie Fland revealed in July were Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, St. John's, UConn, and UNC. But Rivals' Rob Cassidy noted this week that all but the top three appear out of the running altogether:

"Nothing has been announced as far as a decision date goes, but it's starting to feel as though Fland is headed down the back stretch of his recruitment. I feel somewhat confident that he'll be on somebody's commitment list before you get your first trick-or-treater, and I feel almost as confident that it will ultimately be Alabama, Kentucky, or Indiana...The rest of Fland's top schools have a window-dressing feel to them."

Meanwhile, UNC basketball isn't exactly hurting on the 2024 trail. The Tar Heels enjoy three top-shelf pledges in five-star small forward Drake Powell, five-star shooting guard Ian Jackson, and four-star center James Brown.

RELATED: Tar Heels No Longer Boast No. 1 Recruiting Class

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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