Former Arkansas guard Boogie Fland, a projected second-round pick, decided on Tuesday to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft and explore his options in the Transfer Portal.

Fland had an up-and-down and ultimately injury-plagued freshman season in Fayetteville, but his talent is undeniable. He was a consensus 5-star recruit coming out of the Bronx, and he flashed his immense potential for the Hogs.

Fland averaged 13.5 points and 5.1 assists per game. He struggled to score at the rim, converting only 39% of his attempts, per Bart Torvik. That was the impetus for Fland shooting just 37.9% from the floor in his freshman season. He did show promise as a three-point shooter, however, connecting on 34% of his attempts.

Fland will be a highly sought-after player in the portal. Alabama’s Nate Oats should aggressively pursue the former 5-star guard.

Alabama was a finalist in Fland’s recruitment the first go-around before he ultimately committed to John Calipari and Kentucky. Fland chose to follow Calipari to Arkansas once he left Lexington for Fayetteville.

Fland will likely command a big NIL payday as one of the top point guards in the country. He will have plenty of suitors lining up. Alabama won’t be able to pay him what some others can. Oats has to try anyway. He’s that good and can be a game-changer for the Crimson Tide’s 2025-26 outlook.

Boogie Fland would be a perfect Labaron Philon replacement at Alabama

Labaron Philon hasn’t made a final decision yet, but all signs continue to point toward him remaining in the NBA Draft. If Philon doesn’t return, Alabama has a need for a lead guard. Aden Holloway is capable, and combo guards such as Jalil Bethea and Latrell Wrightsell can pick up some slack, but none are as proven a playmaker as Fland.

While Alabama may not be able to compete with some of the NIL offers that are to come, Oats can pitch his system and his track record of developing guards and putting them in the spotlight.

Aden Holloway had similar struggles shooting the ball from all areas of the court a year ago. His percentages took a significant jump in Alabama’s offense, and he was one of the better players in the country off the bench.

If Fland wants to showcase himself for NBA scouts for next year’s NBA Draft, there’s not a better system for him to play in.

Oats and Preston Murphy have won plenty of recruiting battles without dropping the biggest bag. They were not the highest bidder for Cliff Omoruyi last year and still landed the Rutgers big man out of the portal.

Alabama still has two roster spots left open. One of those spots could go to Cal State Northridge transfer wing Keonte Jones. Alabama has hosted Jones on a visit and is trending in his recruitment.

The other spot, if the Crimson Tide is able to fill it, should go to a lead guard. Whether that’s Fland or a returning Philon, it’s Alabama’s best path to being a contender again.

Things have been quiet in the Transfer Portal for Alabama basketball in recent weeks. That should change soon.

After missing out on Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, Nate Oats and staff turned their attention elsewhere on the West Coast.

Now, the Crimson Tide is trending to land a commitment out of the Transfer Portal from Cal State Northridge wing Keonte Jones. Jones is a versatile, all-around player who is one of the nation’s better defenders. He’s exactly the type of player Oats is looking for to improve Alabama’s toughness and defensive versatility.

Jones is an all-around player who averaged 13.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game last season for the Matadors. Jones shot over 50% from the floor and hit 38% of his three-point attempts, though it was at a low volume. He hit 13-of-34 attempts from downtown.

At 6-foot-6, Jones has the ability to play multiple positions. He can handle the ball, hit the occasional three, attack the rim, rebound, and defend guards and frontcourt players. His ability on the defensive end is his biggest selling point.

Despite playing for a team that ranked 129th in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom, Jones graded out as one of the top defensive players in the country. The Matadors gave up just 94.1 points per 100 possessions when Jones was on the floor.

Jones was at one time committed to Eric Musselman and USC, but decommitted from the Trojans a couple of weeks ago. He played two years at Northridge and three years of JUCO, so he will need a waiver to play in 2025-26. Considering the blanket waivers that have gone out for JUCO players, that shouldn’t be an issue.

If Oats is able to seal the deal and add Jones as expected, he projects to be a difference maker for the Crimson Tide next season.

Jones may be Alabama’s Mo Dioubate replacement

Jones would likely slot into a similar role to what Mo Dioubate played for Alabama last season. He’ll be the glue guy and likely end up as one of the leaders in hard hats next season. He gives maximum effort and uses his plus-athleticism to rebound at a high level and block shots as a help defender at the rim.

Jones’s all-around game reminds me of a player Alabama fans are familiar with from the NCAA Tournament in Robert Morris’ Amarion Dickerson.

Jones may not be a legitimate 38% shooter on higher volume, but with stretch-fives in Noah Williamson and Aiden Sherrell, Jones could occupy the “dunker spot” in Alabama’s offensive system with his athleticism.

Jones may not be a flashy pick-up, but he’s a winning player who will make a difference in the win/loss column.