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Rick Pitino is hitting the ground running and already aiming high.

The new St. John’s coach is set to visit Archbishop Stepinac Wednesday afternoon to get a look at five-star guard Boogie Fland, according to sources.

Fland is the seventh-ranked player in the 2024 class and No. 2 player in New York, according to the 24/7 sports recruiting composite.

Pitino and assistant coach Steve Masiello will watch practice and are looking to get involved with Fland, a junior who has numerous high-major suitors.

Kentucky and Alabama are heavily involved with the dynamic guard from The Bronx.

Fland and Stepinac won the highly competitive Catholic League championship, and will play in this weekend’s State Federation tournament in Albany.


  Boogie Fland (1) of Archbishop Stepinac during the Hoophall Classic against Simeon Career Academy on Jan. 15, 2023. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Boogie Fland (1) of Archbishop Stepinac during the Hoophall Classic against Simeon Career Academy on Jan. 15, 2023. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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Pitino will be busy in the coming weeks.

He said during his Tuesday press conference he is expecting to add six to eight new players to the roster.

St. John’s has already expressed interest in Iona guard Walter Clayton Jr., the MAAC Player of the Year who entered the transfer portal on Tuesday.

Standout center Joel Soriano, who like Fland also attended Stepinac, attended the press conference on Tuesday and said he was going to return.

It was a major win for Pitino, who named Soriano captain.


  Rick Pitino speaks to reporters after being introduced as St. John’s new coach on March 21, 2023. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post Rick Pitino speaks to reporters after being introduced as St. John’s new coach on March 21, 2023. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

“There’s certain players that are going to fit in with me, certain players that won’t fit in,” Pitino said Tuesday. “I know Joel fits into what I’m all about, I know [Drissa Traore] fits into the style of play and the character I need. Certain players won’t fit in and should not play for me. They should go to a different place and fit in.”

Ian Jackson, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Cardinal Hayes who has committed to North Carolina, is the No. 1 player in New York for the 2024 class.

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