Gator Country

Junior Scottie Wilbekin will be counted on to step up and play a bigger role in the backcourt for Florida during the 2012-13 season. / Gator Country file photo by Tim Casey

Billy Donovan has watched NBA teams select five former Florida players in the Top 10 picks of the NBA Draft during his tenure, and on Thursday, he’ll watch one take the sixth in the 2012 NBA Draft.

In fact, there’s even a chance he could watch an NBA team make shooting guard Brad Beal the highest-drafted Florida player in school history, with the Charlotte Bobcats a potential landing spot for the soon-to-be 19-year-old star at pick No. 2.

Beal’s not the only player Donovan will have to replace next season, though, with four-year point guard Erving Walker’s career in Gainesville also finished. Needless to say, the Gators will have a different look next year.

“I think that’s something we’re probably going to have to see,” said Donovan, when asked how the team would change. “I think any time you lose a starting point guard like we are with Erving Walker and then you obviously lose a Top 5 pick in Brad Beal, that certainly changes the complexion of your backcourt.”

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