Departure News: Kentucky signee requests release from NLI
Travis Branham of 247Sports broke the story first.
Fland, a New York City native, is ranked as the second best combo guard in the nation, the third best prospect from the Empire State, and the 18th top prospect in America in the class of 2024 according to 247sports’ composite rankings.
On October 20, 2023, the 6-foot-2 guard chose Kentucky over a final list of suitors that also included Indiana and Alabama. In addition, he had offers from the following universities: Oregon, Pittsburgh, St. John’s, Syracuse, TCU, Villanova, Illinois, Kansas, Kansas State, LSU, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, Auburn, andOn November 8, he signed a national letter of intent with the Wildcats.
Speaking on the crowd response to the Cats 2024 NCAA Tournament first-round defeat to Oakland during the McDonald’s All-American Game Media Day in Houston on April 1, Falland seemed prepared to face the pressure that comes with playing at Kentucky.
“The supporters of Kentucky want to win. They’re accustomed to it that way. “I think the response [to Kentucky’s Round of 64 loss to Oakland] was appropriate,” Fland remarked. “They failed to meet expectations. They seemed to be thinking about another game, in my opinion. March is when everyone will be giving it their best try. There feels to be pressure, in my opinion… We selected Kentucky, in my opinion, since we were aware of its requirements—you simply have to go in there and do what needs to be done.
Instead, Fland, who averaged 19.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains, New York, and scored 18 points, including the game-winning shot in the McDonald’s All-American game, will likely play for Calipari at Arkansas after graduating from high school.
After Calipari’s departure, he becomes the fourth member of the UK’s 2024 signing class—Jayden Quaintance, Karter Knox, and Somto Cyril—to reopen recruiting.