By ADAM ZAGORIA
NEW YORK — Boogie Fland, DJ Wagner and Billy Richmond all made their names as high school stars in the New York/New Jersey area.
On Tuesday night, the trio will return home and play with Arkansas against No. 14 Michigan at the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden (9 p.m., ESPN). No. 1 Tennessee meets Miami in the first game of the doubleheader.
“I think it’s going to mean the world to DJ,” Camden High School coach Maalik Wayns told ZAGSBLOG. “He has a ton of family and friends who support him so to come back home [and] to play in front of them at MSG has to be special for him.
“Billy, as well. He will have a ton of support and get a lot of love. These are special young men who are great players and even better kids!”
Wagner, the former No. 1 recruit in his class at Camden, played his freshman season at Kentucky before transferring to Arkansas and following coach John Calipari. He’s averaging 9.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 42% from the field. He remains on the radar of NBA scouts, but is not currently projected in ESPN’s mock draft for 2025. “He’s played well in their last few games,” one NBA scout said. “There’s a lot of season left and the NCAA’s.” The 6-5 Richmond also played at Camden and also committed to Kentucky before flipping to follow Calipari. He’s averaging 6.3 points and 3.4 rebounds. The 6-2 Fland was also part of Calipari’s recruiting class at Kentucky, but changed course to play for the Razorbacks. He’s excelled as a freshman, averaging 15.0 points and 5.2 assists on 42% shooting. Fland is currently projected as the No. 15 pick in the draft to the Brooklyn Nets by Tankathon.com. The entire Stepinac team and coaching staff will be in attendance at the game after practicing in New York. Fland is expecting north of 40 family and friends. “As a New York kid any opportunity to play at MSG is a special feeling and position to be in,” Stepinac coach Pat Massaroni said. “It is the brightest stage to be on in the mecca of New York City.” Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookThe entire @step_basketball
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) December 10, 2024
team and staff will practice in NYC today and then head to MSG to see Boogie Fland and @RazorbackMBB take on Howard Eisley Jr. and @umichbball in the Jimmy V
Both are 2024 Stepinac Graduates https://t.co/9gZEBtacl7
