Boogie Fland out until September: Five-star Florida Gators transfer undergoes surgery

Basketball

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Image Credit: Arkansas athletics

Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden capitalized on leading the program to its first national championship in 18 years by going all-in with the transfer portal, bringing in multiple prized talents that should help Florida rebound from the loss of its three starting guards to graduation. However, he unveiled Thursday that the Gators’ signature signee will not be available to play until September.

Five-star transfer guard Boogie Fland, who signed with Florida just days after withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft, underwent successful sports hernia surgery on July 3. He has been unable to workout with the team of late but should be good to go when fall camp begins in September.

Last season as a freshman, Fland was Arkansas’ second-leading scorer and top distributor, averaging 13.5 points and 5.1 assists while shooting shot 38% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc. The former four-star prospect (No. 22 overall) was considered the No. 8 overall player and top combo guard in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports.

Golden said at a booster event this week that Fland could have played through the hernia, but given the extended time off, getting it handled in the offseason was the better decision.

Fland is part of a transfer backcourt that features four-star point guard Xaivian Lee (No. 32) out of Princeton and four-star G AJ Brown (No. 68) out of Ohio. The trio combine to form one of the best backcourts in the nation entering the 2025-26 season.

Given the Gators lost their three leading scorers — Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin — to graduation, Golden’s ability to replenish his lost guards with players of this caliber in one offseason was remarkable. As is the commitment from Florida donors putting up the NIL funds necessary to keep this team on top entering the 2025-26 campaign.

Fland is expected to earn approximately $2 million next season, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander. He is represented by former Gators guard Mike Miller.