Former Kentucky recruits to play for Hogs

John Calipari has landed a pair of former Kentucky recruits with the addition of five-star guard Johnuel "Boogie" Fland and Camden (N.J.) small forward Billy Richmond.

Fland, 6-2, played at Archbishop Stepinac High School in New York and signed early with Calipari and the Wildcats. He arrived on Arkansas' campus Wednesday for an official visit and committed Thursday prior to leaving.

Fland averaged 19.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game as a senior at Archbishop Stepinac this past season. Fland joins Kentucky freshman center-forward Zvonimir Ivisic, 7-2, and Atlanta (Ga.) Overtime Elite five-star forward recruit Karter Knox, 6-6, as new Razorbacks. Calipari has nine more scholarships available to him.

Fland recently played in three all-star games. He was in the 2024 McDonald's All-America, 2024 Nike Hoop Summit and 2024 Jordan Brand Classic. He averaged 10.7 points (including 36.4% from 3), 3.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in the trio of all-star games. Fland has participated in USA Basketball junior national basketball events and camps spanning the past couple of years.

Richmond, 6-6, 200, is a fivestar recruit with the 247Composite. He is a lefty wing who decommitted from Kentucky on April 16. He is the fourth recruit for Calipari in the Class of 2024.

As with Knox, Fland and Richmond are considered a possible one-and-done players in college. Calipari has been linked to several other former Wildcat players and recruits.

He will play host to a couple of big men. Tennessee forward Jonas Aidoo, 6-11, 241, arrives first. In 36 games, Aidoo, who was a junior, averaged 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.7 steal and 1.8 blocks each outing. He shot 51.5% from the field, 20% from behind the 3-point line and 62.6% at the free throw line.

Garrison was a freshman center for Oklahoma State this past season. In 32 games, Garrison averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steal and 1.5 blocks (tops on team). He shot 57.2% from the field and 64.8% from the free throw line.