This is a big deal! In the extended wake of Florida's season-ending loss to Iowa in the Round of 32, the Gators will be getting back one of their very best players. Ahead of the Sweet 16 starting, sophomore guard Boogie Fland announced he will be coming back to Florida for a second season. The Bronx native spent his first season of college hoops playing for John Calipari on the Arkansas Razorbacks.
CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported on Thursday afternoon Fland will be back at Florida next season.
Sources: Boogie Fland is returning to Florida next season.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 26, 2026
On the season, Fland averaged 11.6 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game in 30 minutes per contest. He was tied with senior guard Xaivian Lee for the third-best scoring average on the team last year. Only junior forward Alex Condon averaged more assists per game than Fland last season. With two years of eligibility left, he wisely decided to return to UF for one more year as a fringe prospect...
Fland shared on his official account over on X that he plans to return to Florida for his junior season.
Running it back 🐊https://t.co/ClMFbnNvb1 pic.twitter.com/hBAr8dGN2a
— Boogie Fland (@BoogieFland) March 26, 2026
This is a big deal for Florida. More importantly, what did it take to convince him to come back to UF?
Boogie Fland explains why he is returning over on Florida Victorious
Fland offered up a pair of quotes to Florida Victorious on his decision to come back to Gainesville.
"I love being a Gator. I really do love being a Gator. I didn't love how everything ended, and I feel like there’s still some unfinished business. With the staff, we’re excited for year two of being a Gator.”
Fland expressed great self-awareness here that he needs to continue working on his shooting game.
“It was a full season, so it was my first real full season. A lot of injuries, a lot of nicks, so just playing through those and fighting through it. Toward the end of the season, I wasn’t taking shots. So this offseason is more about getting enough reps in, continuing to get better in all areas, and definitely meeting with the staff to get feedback on what I need to work on and what they expect me to bring coming into year two.”
Overall, having a player who started every game for Florida last year back in the backcourt is huge for Golden's team. With Lee out of eligibility, as well as other Gators stars such as Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon, and Thomas Haugh all contemplating their futures, Fland returning could be even more important than we ever could have imagined. It just goes to show that Fland has total trust in Golden.
Ultimately, Florida could really use a more veteran team next year. The Gators had their challenges at times in the non-conference before league play commenced. Repeating as national champions is always easier said than done. However, there does seem to be a hunger within Fland to be a driving force for this team. How the rest of the 2026-27 Gators' roster will come together remains to be seen.
For the time being, Golden knows that he will have Fland back for one more season to avenge 2026.