Boogie is Back: A Pair of Florida Basketball Guards Return

Boogie wonderland.

Florida basketball’s starting point guard, Boogie Fland, announced this afternoon that he will be returning next season, alongside sixth-man Urban Klavzar. Fland took to Instagram, saying that he will, in fact, be “running it back.”

His message was simple. “I love being a Gator. I really do love being a Gator,” Fland told Florida Victorious, reaffirming his commitment to Florida.

His first year with the Gators, though, was anything but smooth. Early in the season, Fland looked like a player who was still searching for himself and a rhythm. He struggled with consistency, making quick decisions, but his main challenge came as a shooter. When the ball was in his hands, the offense slowed down. Not only did it seem like he couldn’t drain a shot behind the 3-point line, but he couldn’t consistently find quality shots from the backcourt.

As the season progressed, Fland settled in. His shooting became more consistent and his decision-making improved, highlighting the pure potential he possessed when he was five-star recruit at Arkansas two years ago.

Fland started in all 35 games at Florida, averaging 11.6 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. He also totaled 121 assists and 61 steals, but his 24% rate from 3 may have had a greater effect.

Florida’s season ended earlier than expected, losing in the Round of 32 against Iowa. With a loss during the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, the team left with a sense that so much more was possible. The ending lingered sour for Fland, who told Florida Victorious: “I feel like there’s still some unfinished business. With the staff, we’re excited for Year No. 2 of being a Gator.”

With the news of his coming back, a question looms. Will Boogie’s return ultimately make a difference for Florida in 2026?

His reappearance comes when the future of the Gators’ lineup is still unclear. With senior point guard Xaivian Lee moving on and uncertainty about juniors Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu’s futures, Florida may look dramatically different next year. New faces will arrive in the portal and the roles within the team will shift.

One thing is certain: Boogie Fland is staying.

He will no longer be the new guy but will become a backbone for a Florida team that has seen the struggles and is looking to adjust. His growth could make him a foundation for this upcoming season, hoping it can build the key to success.

But will Boogie’s return alone be enough? In short, we don’t know… though he isn’t alone in coming back.

Klavzar announced he will also be returning for his senior season, providing the Gators integral scoring option. Although he was not a starter, Klavzar was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year. He provides Florida with an instant boost off the bench, where he went 40.6% from 3 this season. His return will provide Florida with some much-needed consistency in the backcourt.

If Fland’s offseason practice can improve his shooting consistency and lead him to take a leadership role, he could transform into not just a starter for Florida, but one of the best guards in the SEC.

For now, all that matters is that Boogie is back.

Category: Basketball, Feature Sports News, Gators Men's Basketball