Gators await a decision by Fland; Chinyelu withdraws from NBA Draft

Rueben Chinyelu has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will return to UF (Photo by Chris Spears)

They have it all figured out at The Vatican. A puff of white smoke tells us there is a new pope. Black smoke says the wait continues. If only recruiting were this simple then we could watch the Florida basketball complex for smoke signals to tell us if and when Johnuel “Boogie” Fland commits to the Gators.

In Gainesville on a visit that could turn the Gators into odds on favorites to repeat as NCAA champions, Fland is a former 5-star recruit and the No. 17 player in the nation during his prep days at Archbishop Stepinac in The Bronx. He originally signed with Kentucky, but when John Calipari left for Arkansas, Fland followed.

Last season at Arkansas Fland averaged 13.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game as a true freshman. He declared for the NBA Draft and entered the transfer portal simultaneously. A week ago he was thought to be a possible NBA first rounder, but he withdrew his name from the draft, turning Florida into the odds-on favorite to sign him out of the portal.

Both Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, two of the nation’s top basketball writers, think Fland is all but a lock to sign with the Gators.

“I guess it’s not done done, but all indications would seem that Boogie Fland looks to be poised to stay in the SEC,” Norlander said on the Eye on College Basketball podcast. “I would think it’s going to be by the end of the week. I do think Fland’s going to wind up committing to Florida. Again, not done done, I guess but I’m expecting that to happen.”

Obtaining Fland’s services won’t come cheap. Norlander speculated that it could take “anywhere between $2-3 million” which seems to be the going price for top 10 transfer talent these days and times. If only there was a smoke signal to tell us if the price is right.

Fland and Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee would give the Gators a pair of outstanding ball handlers and distributors. Both are outstanding as primary ball handlers and capable scorers off the ball. Additionally, Florida has already signed Ohio U transfer AJ Brown, a slasher who showed outstanding 3-point potential at Ohio last season when he hit 38 percent of his 3-pointers.

Monday, the Gators also got outstanding news when Rueben Chinyelu announced he is withdrawing from the NBA Draft to return to Florida. Chinyelu started all 40 games for the Gators last season when he averaged 6.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Florida still waits on Alex Condon, who has yet to decide whether to continue in the draft or return to Florida. Condon, who averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season, is ranked as the No. 31 available player by ESPN, which would put him outside the first round. Condon, who has until May 28 to decide whether he’s staying in the draft or returning to Florida, indicated last week that he would stay in the draft for something close to a guaranteed deal. All first round draft picks get guaranteed deals. Occasionally, as in the case back in 2011 of Gator and SEC Player of the Year Chandler Parsons, a second rounder will get a multi-year guaranteed deal.

Although Golden said he anticipates signing only one more player – expectation that player being Fland – the Gators could also add Australian Ben Henshall (6-6, 200) if he decides to withdraw from the NBA Draft. A native of Perth and a buddy of Condon, Henshall is a hybrid guard/forward who can play both inside and outside. If he elects to withdraw it is anticipated that Henshall will choose to play college basketball either at Florida or Texas Tech.

Among the too early preseason top 25 rankings for 2025-26, Florida is as high as No. 2 at The Athletic, as low as No. 18 by ESPN.

FLORIDA’S POTENTIAL ROSTER 2025-26

Big guys (6): Micah Handlogten (7-1, 255, SR); Alex Condon (6-11, 232, JR); Tommy Haugh (6-9, 215, JR); Rueben Chinyelu (6-10, 260, JR); Viktor Mikic (6-11, 250, RFR); Olivier Rioux (7-9, 305, RFR)

Perimeter guys (7): Xaivian Lee (6-4, 180, SR/TR); AJ Brown (6-4, 200, RJR/TR); Urban Klavzar (6-1, 190, SO); Isaiah Brown (6-4, 200, SO); Boogie Fland (6-2, 175, SO/TR); Alex Lloyd (6-4, 180, FR); CJ Ingram (6-6, 190, FR)