Bronx native Johnuel “Boogie” Fland, who plays NCAA basketball for the University of Arkansas as one of the top freshman standouts, led his team in scoring Tuesday in an exciting 89-87 victory over Michigan at Madison Square Garden.
This was the team’s first time playing in the Jimmy V Classic, a doubleheader tournament named for legendary coach Jim Valvano, who died of cancer in 1993 at age 47. It was held at MSG as part of Jimmy V Week, which raises money for cancer research.
Nearly 15,000 fans were in attendance, including Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, and Fland said in the post-game press conference that over 100 family and friends were in the stands to watch him play in his home city.
“Most of my career, they haven’t been able to see me [play in person], and especially being the first time at the Garden and get the win, it’s more special now,” he said. Fland, the 6-foot-2-inch point guard, finished the game with 20 points and seven assists, leading his team in both categories.
The game was a battle as Michigan took a substantial lead early, but their performance proved streaky. By the end of the first half, Arkansas had cut Michigan’s lead to four. At the start of the second half, the momentum was with Arkansas, as Michigan did not score for the first several minutes of play, and the half progressed, Arkansas maintained a modest lead that bloomed to 16 points at the 10-minute mark. But Michigan then went on a 16-2 run that nearly put Arkansas in the hole.
The crowd was electric as in the frenzied last seconds, Michigan called a timeout, down just two points with 3.7 seconds left on the clock. The entire crowd was on its feet as Michigan retook possession of the ball but only managed to hurl a desperation shot that bounced off the front of the rim.
The win took a lot out of Fland. “He died at the end of the game. I left him in too much,” said coach John Calipari in the press conference. “He and DJ [Wagner] together, though — two pretty good guards, huh?” The two players combined for 36 points.
The Jimmy V Classic was a rare chance for New Yorkers to see Fland play in New York before he is drafted into the NBA, which is all but certain to happen next year.
In his young college career, he has already turned plenty of heads. He came to Arkansas as a top-rated point guard out of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, and his debut game against basketball powerhouse Kansas was “nothing short of spectacular,” according to Sports Illustrated.
Fland put up great numbers to start his freshman season with the Razorbacks. In each of the first six games, he scored in double digits, made at least one three-point shot and had at least three assists — and was the only Razorback to do so.
Fland also garnered recent attention for his clutch performance in the Dec. 3 game against Miami, who lost 62-75 to the undefeated Tennessee team in the first game of the Jimmy V Classic. Against Miami, Fland scored 18 points, including a go-ahead three-point shot in the comeback win.
Not bad for a kid from the Bronx, who grew up on East 170th Street and Grand Concourse playing AAU ball. Fland’s friends and family are still in the Bronx, and he makes it back to the borough pretty often, he told the Bronx Times in an interview ahead of the game.
Coming out of high school, Fland originally committed to the University of Kentucky, but when Naismith Hall of Fame coach Calipari resigned to coach for Arkansas instead, Fland followed. Fland said he has a great relationship with Calipari.
“He cares,” he said. “He said nothing was gonna be handed, I have to go take it. And that’s kind of how the world works.”
Moving to Fayetteville, Arkansas, was a pretty big adjustment for a Bronx guy, but Fland called it “an adjustment for the greater,” as the quieter life has helped him focus more on basketball. “I’m actually liking it over here, I love it. The fans are great, the people are great.”
Fland said he juggles all his responsibilities by “staying focused on the main thing.” “I’ve been doing hoops and school for a long time, so I know how to balance the two,” he said.
As for his NBA dreams, Fland said he has no ideal place to land — and wouldn’t even specify the New York Knicks. “If it happens, it happens,” he said with a laugh. Ultimately, “Whichever [team] is best for me,” he’ll be happy with, he said. “I’m just happy I got myself into this position, to have a chance to even do that.”
Between the opportunity to play at Madison Square Garden and his NBA dreams likely soon to come true, Fland said he’s grateful to have come this far. “These are the greatest times of my life right now.”
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
