A Quick Look at Recruiting (Updated April 28)

[GothamGator]

Thought it would be helpful to have a quick list that shows who we are recruiting in upcoming classes and who is currently on our team. Feel free to chime in about recruiting in general or to start new threads about specific recruits. The lists of our targets - particularly for 2011 - are not complete.

By the way, if you are not an insider, you are really missing out on Franz's reports in Inside the Net. He covers what's going on at UF and around the SEC is painstaking detail. It's great stuff.

Each service's ranking of the player is shown along with the rating. ESPN rates on a scale of 1 to 100, while Scout and Rivals rate by one to five stars. ESPN's ratings are a little out of date, while Scout and Rivals are up to date.

ESPN Rankings for 2010 were updated in mid-January. Other rankings are from October.

Updates
July 1 - Closed out 2009 class and added new Rivals rankings for 2011.
July 2 - Added new Scout rankings for 2011; added C. Randle and Z. Price to 2011.
July 5 - New Scout and Rivals rankings for 2010
July 6 - Added J. Horford to 2010.
August 4 - N. Tishman to UF.
August 5 - Fab Melo to Syracuse.
August 24 - Vargas to transfer.
September 29 - Poole to Kentucky.
September 30 - Prather to UF.
October 1 - Update Scout 2010, 2011 rankings; added a few new targets.
October 2 - Update Rivals 2010, 2011 rankings.
Jan 18 - Added Ricardo Ratliffe, JUCO PF, to 2010; major update of ESPN's rankings.
Jan 22 - Added Ray McCallum, 2010 PG.
Jan 29 - Patric Young named McDonald's All American!
Feb 8 - Added Kadeem Jack, 2010 PF.
Feb 27 - Added Kendall Williams, 2010 SG.
March 4 - Added Will Yeguete, 2010 PF.
March 12 - Kendall Williams to New Mexico; Michael Gbinije to Duke.
April 1 - Horford to Michigan; added Brandon Young and Chris Denson to 2010.
April 8 - A. Rivers decommits.
April 9 - Added J. Steele to 2010. Added information on Mike Rosario as a potential transfer.
April 13 - R. Ratliffe to Missouri.
April 14 - B. Knight to Kentucky; R. McCallum to Detroit.
April 19 - Added C. Larson and M. Carlino to 2010 and S. Wilbekin to 2011.
April 19 - M. Rosario to Florida!
April 20 - W. Yeguete to Florida!
April 21 - C. Larson to Florida!
April 22 - S. Wilbekin to Florida!
April 28 - CJ Leslie to NC State; Matt Carlino to UCLA.

Current Roster
(last year of eligibility in parentheses)
Guards: Erving Walker (2012), Kenny Boynton (2013), Nimrod Tishman (2013)
Wing or Combo Forward: Chandler Parsons (2011), Adam Allen (2012)*
Post Players: Vernon Macklin (2011), Alex Tyus (2011)**, Kenny Kadji (2013)***, Erik Murphy (2013)

* - Injured; status unclear.
** - Has submitted paperwork for NBA draft but not hired an agent.
*** - Assumes he receives a redshirt for last season.


Recruits
(Boldface are verbal commitments)

Potential Transfer
(rankings are from high school)
Mike Rosario (6-3, PG) - ESPN 96, #16; Scout ****, #43; Rivals ****, #55 - former McDonald's AA has committed to the Gators!

2010
(abbreviated list)
Brandon Knight (6-3, PG) - ESPN 97, #4; Scout *****, #2; Rivals *****, #1 - committed to Kentucky.
C.J. Leslie (6-9, PF) - ESPN 97, #11; Scout *****, #12; Rivals *****, #14 - committed to NC State.
Cory Joseph (6-3, PG) - ESPN 96, #16; Scout *****, #22; Rivals *****, #7
Patric Young (6-8, PF) - ESPN 95, #13; Scout *****, #18; Rivals ****, #28 - signed with Florida! Named to McD AA Team!
Casey Prather (6-6, SF) - ESPN 95, #35; Scout ****, #55; Rivals, ****, #64 - signed with Florida!
Ray McCallum (6-1, PG) - ESPN 95, #34; Scout *****, #25; Rivals, ****, #60 - Committed to Detroit
Stacey Poole, Jr. (6-5, SF) - ESPN 94, #51; Scout ****, #58; Rivals ****, #27 - signed with Kentucky
Ricardo Ratliffe (6-8, PF) - ESPN 94, #78; Scout ****, JC; Rivals NR, JC- Committed to Missouri.
Brandon Young (6-3, PG) - ESPN 91, NR; Scout ***, NR; Rivals ***, #147 - Signed with DePaul in the fall but asking out of his LOI.
Matt Carlino (6-2, SG) - ESPN 93, NR; Scout ****, not in top 75; Rivals ***, NR - committed to UCLA.
Cody Larson (6-9, PF) - ESPN 92, NR; Scout ****, not in top 100; Rivals ***, NR - committed to Florida!
Jon Horford (6-9, PF) - ESPN 92, #116; Scout ***, not in top 100; Rivals ***, not in top 150 - Al's little brother just committed to Michigan.
Chris Denson (6-2, PG) - ESPN 87, NR; Scout NR; Rivals ***, NR - Columbus, GA senior is starting to get high major offers.
Will Yeguete (6-7, SF) - ESPN 84, NR; Scout ***, not in top 100; Rivals ***, not in top 150 - committed to Florida!
Scottie Wilbekin (6-2, PG) - ESPN 85, NR; Scout **, not in top 75; Rivals NR - committed to Florida! Gainesville junior will skip his senior HS season and join class of 2010.
Jalen Steele (6-3, SG) - ESPN 87, NR; Scout **, NR; Rivals ***, NR - Has been released from his LOI to Auburn and is taking visits.

2011
(abbreviated list)
Rakeem Christmas (6-9, PF) - ESPN 97, #13; Scout *****, #3; Rivals *****, #4
James McAdoo (6-7, PF) - ESPN 98, #3; Scout *****, #2; Rivals *****, #6 - committed to N. Carolina
Austin Rivers (6-3, PG) - ESPN 98, #2; Scout *****, #4; Rivals *****, #8 - has decommitted from Gators
LeBryan Nash (6-6, SF) - ESPN ?; Scout *****, #11; Rivals *****, #5
Bradley Beal (6-3, SG) - ESPN 96, #15; Scout *****, #10; Rivals *****, #7 - Committed to the Gators!!!
Adonis Thomas (6-6, SF) - ESPN ?; Scout *****, #6; Rivals *****, #11
Johnny O'Bryant (6-9, PF) - ESPN ?; Scout *****, #9; Rivals *****, #13
Michael Chandler (6-10, C) - ESPN 96, #16; Scout *****, #13; Rivals *****, #10 - committed to Louisville
Wayne Blackshear (6-4, SG) - ESPN 96, #23; Scout *****, #12; Rivals *****, #18
Michael Gbinije (6-5, SF) - ESPN 97, #12; Scout *****, #14; Rivals ****, #29 - committed to Duke
Myck Kabongo (6-0, PG) - ESPN 96, #14; Scout *****, #16; Rivals *****, #24 - committed to Texas
Damien Leonard (6-4, SG) - ESPN ?; Scout ****, #30; Rivals *****, #14
P.J. Hairston (6-6, SG) - ESPN 95, #32; Scout *****, #19; Rivals *****, #25- committed to N. Carolina
LaQuinton Ross (6-7, SF) - ESPN 97, #10; Scout ****, #15; Rivals ****, #42
Marshall Plumlee (6-11, C) - ESPN ?; Scout ****, #24; Rivals ****, #41
Kevin Ware (6-4, PG) - ESPN ?; Scout ****, #46; Rivals *****, #22
Mike Shaw (6-8, PF) - ESPN ?; Scout ****, #40; Rivals ****, #44
Chasson Randle (6-2, SG) - ESPN 96, #31; Scout ****, #49; Rivals ****, #45
Zach Price (6-10, C) - ESPN 91, not in top 60; Scout ****, #38; Rivals ****, #66 - committed to Louisville
C.J. Barksdale (6-7, PF) - ESPN ?; Scout ****, #28; Rivals ****, #78
Rodney Hood (6-6, SG) - ESPN 95, #35; Scout ****, #53; Rivals ****, #91
Shane Larkin (5-11, PG) - ESPN ?; Scout ***, not in top 75; Rivals ****, #96


Class Rankings
(updated April 20)
2008 - Scout #9, Rivals #10, ESPN #2
2009 - Scout #17, Rivals #15, ESPN #20
2010 (so far) - Scout #14^, Rivals #18*, ESPN #10*
^ - Ranking is without Larson or Wilbekin
* - Ranking is without Yeguete, Larson or Wilbekin.

[MJGator8104]

Thanks, Gotham.

[ScoobaDawg]

Gotham..check your PM

[g8tr82]

Scooba, I'm coming to the FB game out there, where is there something to do? I'll be in a sky box for the game.

[jsrtreeson]

Patric Young is now a five star on scout

[gatorlover974]

Rivals and Scout updated their rankings today... for 2010

[themistocles]

So, who are the priorities.

I appreciate that Knight and Melo are pretty high priorities.

Who are the most likely Small Forwards?

Who is behind Knight at PG?

Will the Gators add another PF or Center if Melo decides to go elsewhere?

[HiFiGator]

Scooba, I'm coming to the FB game out there, where is there something to do? I'll be in a sky box for the game.



I would strongly suggest the Silver Star Resort and Casino in Philadelphia, Ms. It is about 45 miles away, but it's worth the drive. They have some really great restaurants and if you like to gamble, they were very liberal with their "comps." For those who aren't familiar with the term, when you play in the casino, at either table games or slot machines, they will give you a players card. This entitles you to freebies from the casino. Obviously the better perks go to the larger players. But some casinos are much better than others. The Silver Star was excellent, with their freebies.

[themistocles]

How about Prather.

[gatornate10]

What is the possibility of BK being in the 10 class?

Also is Christmas, Rivers, and beal a real possibility for the 11 class?

[g8tr80]

We should sign 10 every year. That would ensure that at least one will be left their sophomore year.

[hocgators]

We should sign 10 every year. That would ensure that at least one will be left their sophomore year.

Your logic seems to have merit!

[gatordmd]

I was talking to someone "in the know" and he has said that if Brandon Knight comes to UF then the Austin Rivers things is up in the air.
Everyone says that Brandon Knight is the man but they say that Austin Rivers is the second coming.
Both are from Florida so I think we need to keep the guys from our home state here.
But you have to think of the one and done deal with Brandon Knight. I know Austin Rivers comes from good stock (and money) so he is more likely not to jump to the NBA at the first sign of money.
They say that a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush (or something like that) because there is murmuring about how Austin Rivers commitment is not that solid so if you can land Knight....

[GothamGator]

You talk to some people, and they say that Austin doesn't want to play with Knight. You talk to others, and you hear that they are buddies and would love to play with each other.

Who knows. The only thing I know for sure is that some kids like being at a school with lots of talent because they know they'll win championships, and some people want to go someplace where they are "the man." I suspect the former is more accurate for Austin Rivers, but that's just a guess.

Ask Bledsoe if he's happy he went to Kentucky even thought they already had John Wall on board.

[tampajack1]

I was talking to someone "in the know" and he has said that if Brandon Knight comes to UF then the Austin Rivers things is up in the air.
Everyone says that Brandon Knight is the man but they say that Austin Rivers is the second coming.
Both are from Florida so I think we need to keep the guys from our home state here.
But you have to think of the one and done deal with Brandon Knight. I know Austin Rivers comes from good stock (and money) so he is more likely not to jump to the NBA at the first sign of money.
They say that a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush (or something like that) because there is murmuring about how Austin Rivers commitment is not that solid so if you can land Knight....

Austin Rivers is great, but he is not the 2nd coming. He plays with some pretty good players at Winter Park, but they have yet to win a state title. He needs to improve dramatically as a defender and as a point guard. He has the talent to do it, but I would rather have Shane Larkin come in with Brad Beal in 2011. Shane would be a 4-year player and has outstanding point guard and defender skills right now.

[Melrose]

I Go To School With The Prather Kid. Seen Him For About 4 Year Now. Kid Is Ridiculous! He Will Improve Us. Kevin Durantish With Good Work Ethics. Very Humbled

[gatordmd]

That is so awesome to hear.
In basketball especially recruiting is so important.
Getting quality guys, teaching those quality guys and then keeping those quality guys.
Then it starts to perpetuate itself.

[DuvalGator]

A few questions for those that understand the recruiting process more than I: So we have 11 scholarship players now, ie Fricke and McClanahan are walk-on's, right? Why again did we not sign another 2 scholarship players for this year's team? It is assumed that Tishman was a mistake and won't be given a scholarship, right? Will he stay as a walk-on, or go back to Israel? If so, we have Tishman and Werner scholarships to give, so we can sign 4 more players, right (ie Kadji and Allen will be actively participating scholarhsip players next year)?

[MJGator8104]

A few questions for those that understand the recruiting process more than I: So we have 11 scholarship players now, ie Fricke and McClanahan are walk-on's, right? Why again did we not sign another 2 scholarship players for this year's team? It is assumed that Tishman was a mistake and won't be given a scholarship, right? Will he stay as a walk-on, or go back to Israel? If so, we have Tishman and Werner scholarships to give, so we can sign 4 more players, right (ie Kadji and Allen will be actively participating scholarhsip players next year)?

From what I understand as I'm not an insider and just read the boards, we are planning to sign four players. We already signed two in the early signing period and should sign another guard and big.

[Aardvark]

Any new news on Knight?

[iam4uf]

We really need either Brandon Knight or Ray McCallum & a center for 2010 (if there's even one available now.)

[MJGator8104]

Kinght is supposed to declare after the high school state tourney's.

[Gator_84_88]

I Go To School With The Prather Kid. Seen Him For About 4 Year Now. Kid Is Ridiculous! He Will Improve Us. Kevin Durantish With Good Work Ethics. Very Humbled

Awesome! Melrose ar you in the Jackson, TN area? I'm in Murfreesboro

[33hoop]

Knight supposedly is a done deal for UK according to another poster.

[Crono139]

Knight supposedly is a done deal for UK according to another poster.

And according to me, McCallum is going to pull a Brandon Jennings to play overseas for a year. See, we can play this game all day long.

The state semifinals are on Wednesday. I'm sure that BK has time to think about much else in terms of basketball.

[Crono139]

According to ESPN MVP, C.J. Leslie has trimmed his list to 3 schools... Kentucky, NC State, and Florida.

I thought he was as good as gone to Kentucky, but it looks like we still have a good shot at him if this turns out to be true.

[RD_gator]

If Knight comes to Florida, could he stay for multiple years (i.e, 2)?
I've heard from some posters that if he thinks of himself as a one-and-doner than he may go elsewhere. I've always felt that Donovan would like to coach his players for more than one year. Well, here's to crossing my fingers that BK chooses Florida - it seems like the perfect overall fit for him.

Crono, I've almost forgotten about Leslie as a possible second big man to join Young in the 2010 class. It's good to know. If you listen to cat fans, they think all of these players they go after is a "done deal"!

[Crono139]

If Knight comes to Florida, could he stay for multiple years (i.e, 2)?
I've heard from some posters that if he thinks of himself as a one-and-doner than he may go elsewhere. I've always felt that Donovan would like to coach his players for more than one year. Well, here's to crossing my fingers that BK chooses Florida - it seems like the perfect overall fit for him.

From what I've heard, he's big on academics, so there seems to be at least a very small chance that he may be around for more than one year.

Crono, I've almost forgotten about Leslie as a possible second big man to join Young in the 2010 class. It's good to know. If you listen to cat fans, they think all of these players they go after is a "done deal"!

The article is up on ESPN.com now: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=4962548

[RD_gator]

Here is a link on CJ Leslie recruiting:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=4962548


And on Brandon Knight:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=4958728

[ThePlayer]

What is the possibility of BK being in the 10 class?

Also is Christmas, Rivers, and beal a real possibility for the 11 class?


There will be no Christmas this year...and soon we'll be crying a River(s).... :no:

[GatorinOhio]

There will be no Christmas this year...and soon we'll be crying a River(s).... :no:

If that is true then ouch. I was really hoping to bring in a monster 2011 class because we are going to need some major talent with the losses of Macklin-Tyus-Parsons.

[austingtr]

Christmas has a good chance of coming here, and Rivers sounds like it is coming too, unless we get Knight, which I think is a long shot (from what everyone is saying).

[sgtfury]

Cannot make chicken salad out of chicken doodoo. ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE!
Championships occur when preparation meets opportunity and that all occurs in practice!

[born2beagator]

For what its worth, I talked to Doc Rivers last night at the 6A Championship (Austin Rivers dominated the game) and he said that his boy was still leaning towards UF.

[Crono139]

For those that haven't seen it: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4963372&categoryid=4839219 McCallum speaks from about 0:30-2:30.

[grant1]

That latest PF, Yeguette, is intiguing. since he is a "fast-rising sr", I take it he developed his "weak" points (scoring) this year. Seems that his strong points are what we really need: hustle, traffic rebounding. We're gonna need some inside presence and he sounds like a good bench player for a few years, then possible starter later.

[Walleychamp]

Take Kendall Williams off the board, he committed to New Mexico State...

[Crono139]

ESPN put up an article for McCallum: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=4980183 It's similar to the recent BK, and Leslie ones.

[tommyuf21]

Today's developments certainly have to help. The slide is over.

[Crono139]

Rivers is pulling a BK: http://dimemag.com/2010/03/austin-rivers-h-s-hoop-diary-championship-week-big-decisions

[CASontag]

Ah, so Rivers is going to visit UF first and then Duke second. Too bad UF doesn't get the last visit to leave the last impression. Still, he'll make up his mind and decide which school is best for him and it probably doesn't matter which school he visits first or last. Guess it'll come down to signing day. *shrug*

[tommyuf21]

Trust me, Durham as a city will not leave much of an impression on him. When I lived in Chapel Hell, I used to refer to it as "Dirtham."

It will boil down to who he wants to play for more, Billy or Coach K.

[gatordmd]

I love how he thinks Coach K calling him after his big game was a big deal. Dude you are the #1 recruit in the land. That is his job.
If he didn't call I would have been suprised.
He probably has Collins (assistant coach) dial the number for him, "Here Coach K, I got Rivers on the line, he just won the state championship, say congrats. But hurry I got the #2 guy on the other line."

[grant1]

I see that GA Tech and Indiana have offered Yegette, so he must have had some development in his game.

[Crono139]

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/142719744

With the season over, Donovan and his assistants will make their final recruiting push to land Knight, the nation's top recruit, in an attempt to shore up the Gators" backcourt. College basketball's signing period begins April 14.

"I've got to do a better job, you know, providing a little bit more depth to our team," Donovan said Thursday. "That's definitely something we need. We need depth in our backcourt."

Adding Knight would make the Gators a contender to win the Southeastern Conference in 2011, but landing him will be difficult.

"I look at making this decision as one of the most important decisions I"ll make in my life," Knight recently said in SLAM magazine. "As a result, I am being very patient so I will make the right decision and go to a place that will best benefit me as a person, student and athlete."

"I did not know what to expect this year coming in with basically a freshman point guard in Walker, because he never played there before, and Boynton as a freshman two-guard and having no subs for those guys and really not another handler," Donovan said.

[Crono139]

http://jacksonville.com/sports/2010-03-20/story/gators_look_for_backcourt_help

The prize would be 6-foot-3 point guard Brandon Knight, the No. 1 player in the country who should announce his decision on whether he’s going to UF, UConn, Kansas, Kentucky or Syracuse within a few weeks. Knight averaged 33 points, nine rebounds, and five assists a game last season for Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest and would give the Gators not only a big-time scorer but another elite one-on-one defender to complement Boynton.

Several other unsigned guards could be a possibility as well: Ray McCallum (6-1) from Detroit and Chris Denson (6-2) from Midland, Ga. The Gators have an outside chance at Josh Selby (6-2) from Baltimore and Cory Joseph (6-3) from Henderson, Nev.

Florida also is recruiting Central Florida Community College forward Ricardo Ratliffe, the country’s No. 1 JUCO player. If UF signs a guard, though, the Gators wouldn’t be able to add Ratliffe unless someone transfers or leaves. The most likely candidate is Nimrod Tishman, a late signee from Israel who played just 16 minutes this season.

[GothamGator]

Florida also is recruiting Central Florida Community College forward Ricardo Ratliffe, the country’s No. 1 JUCO player. If UF signs a guard, though, the Gators wouldn’t be able to add Ratliffe unless someone transfers or leaves. The most likely candidate is Nimrod Tishman, a late signee from Israel who played just 16 minutes this season.

The above assumes that both Kadji and Adam Allen are able to return as well - just FYI.

[geronimo71]

Well here's a great PG thats under the radar and not too many people know of him because of the small town he's in. Marcus Humose is one of the top combo-guards in the state according to Breakdown Magazines pre-season battle for rankings camp. Humose already wears the Blue & Orange and is 6-1 190lb pure scorer and ball handler. He is a great free throw shooter and 3pt guy. He's best at the end of games when his opponents are tiring out. This kid knows when to take over and drive to the hole. He recently was named Jackson County Player to the Year and I think he's a division 1 steal!

www2.jcfloridan.com/jcf/sports/high_school_prep/article/hornets_stun_bulldogs_in_ot/128605/

[wingtee]

Yea , we woulldn't have a need for R. Ratliff. Who in the hell needs a 6-9 POwer Forward who can shoot the 3 and rebounds like a demon. Not us... I guess we have a stable of guys like that. I suppose he doesn't do the "little things" like DW did. Nah let him go to BAma where he will light us up for about 26 and 13 boards.

You got to be freekin kidding me ???? Oh I guess questionable grades or effort ? I don't care. I want real players here.

[chipleygator]

Cottondale's Humose is Ray Shipman's cousin. Great kid. Great student. Great player who is under the radar. His HS coach messed up his recruitment. He didn't go to but one camp, I believe. May turn out to be a steal for someone.

[rserina]

Yea , we woulldn't have a need for R. Ratliff. Who in the hell needs a 6-9 POwer Forward who can shoot the 3 and rebounds like a demon. Not us... I guess we have a stable of guys like that. I suppose he doesn't do the "little things" like DW did. Nah let him go to BAma where he will light us up for about 26 and 13 boards.

You got to be freekin kidding me ???? Oh I guess questionable grades or effort ? I don't care. I want real players here.
If he could shoot the three and rebound like a demon, I am betting more programs would be on him.

But don't let that stop you from insulting our players.

[tampajack1]

If he could shoot the three and rebound like a demon, I am betting more programs would be on him.

But don't let that stop you from insulting our players.

He's considered to be the #1 JUCO this year. 'Bama, Arkansas, Missouri, Clemson and Cincinnatti amomg others are after him.

[rserina]

He's considered to be the #1 JUCO this year. 'Bama, Arkansas, Missouri, Clemson and Cincinnatti amomg others are after him.
None of those are notably heavy hitters. Arky loses its only legitimate post player in Washington. Same for Clemson and Booker. We return more in the post than any of those programs, between a pair of senior starters, a sophomore who was a consensus four-star and top-50 kid nationally, and an incoming McD AA, as well as returning a hopefully healthy Kadji and a Parsons that can play either forward spot after starting out at the four.

If Ratliffe were the impact player you keep suggesting he is, then we would be all over him. But we aren't. Nor are other programs regionally who will be taking heavy losses in the frontcourt.

With only two scholarships available for next year at this time, the premium is going to be on guard help, as it should be.

[krameruf]

None of those are notably heavy hitters. Arky loses its only legitimate post player in Washington. Same for Clemson and Booker. We return more in the post than any of those programs, between a pair of senior starters, a sophomore who was a consensus four-star and top-50 kid nationally, and an incoming McD AA, as well as returning a hopefully healthy Kadji and a Parsons that can play either forward spot after starting out at the four.

If Ratliffe were the impact player you keep suggesting he is, then we would be all over him. But we aren't. Nor are other programs regionally who will be taking heavy losses in the frontcourt.

With only two scholarships available for next year at this time, the premium is going to be on guard help, as it should be.

I agree with you but wish we could either move on with or without Allen. While our need is guard I'd sure rather have this kid for two years than Allen.

[Crono139]

http://sectionsports.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1067376

"Jerry, Florida would like to add a combo guard type this spring. If Brandon Knight goes to UK, are there any-off-the radar guys you know they are looking at? What about Chris Denson of Georgia? How good is he?"
- Tom from Tallahassee

Florida is in a bind right now. The only quality guards returning are Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton, and it appears that Knight is destined for Kentucky.

Florida is still in the hunt for four-star point guard Ray McCallum. There is growing sentiment, however, that McCallum will likely end up playing for his father at Detroit.

Denson, a quality under-the-radar prospect, has been scouted recently by a Florida assistant. Whether Denson receives an offer hinges at least partially on what McCallum does. To this point Denson doesn't have a high-major offer, although UCLA and UConn are also involved with him.

He is a left-handed scoring point guard with speed. Whether he is physical enough is the main question for the high-major programs.

[Mac4uk]

Young is impressive.

[demosthenes]

I really hate April Fool's day.

[pkaib01]

Wadlow sure is tall.

[jmoliver]

where's Waldow?????????????????

[MJGator8104]

Robert Wadlow (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wadlow) (8-11, C) - ESPN 100, #2; Scout *****, #3, Rivals *****, #2 - Big Man from Alton, IL will be in Gainesville next year!

Wow, really great to add a 8 footer to the roster as a center! He can just walk to the basket and drop the ball in! :)














Before you jump on me, please be advised I know it was an April Fools Joke! ;)

[Crono139]

"Signing Day is April 14, so in the next couple of weeks, I'll make my decision," McCallum said. "I'm going to sit down with my family and talk to them about it."

"My dad's been my coach my whole life," the younger McCallum said. "So, I'm definitely looking at (Detroit)."

"UCLA, Arizona, Florida and Detroit," McCallum said of his final list.

"I think that if you are a good player and you have good players around you, it doesn't matter if you're at a big school or a smaller school," McCallum said. "You can still get it done. It's all about players playing together as a team."

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100401/SPORTS/4010326/1002

[Crono139]

I know this against what Bullis has said about Denson, but...

The Gators, who desperately need another point guard for the 2010 class, have visited the 6-foot-2 Denson twice and are waiting on the decisions of higher-profile guards before making an offer, according to Shaw High School coach Terry White said.

"They have a couple of guys ahead of him, so it looks like they are waiting on a couple of All-Americans," White said. "Chris doesn’t take that as disrespect, he just wants to play high-major basketball."

White said Denson could fit in at Florida because he’s an aggressive, high-motor player. Florida could have an edge on Denson because Gainesville is close to home.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_uf/2010/04/georgia-pg-chris-denson-could-end-up-a-florida-gator.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sports%2Fcollege%2Fuf+%28Swam p+Things%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

He doesn't seem like a bad backup plan, IMO.

[core545]

Wow, really great to add a 8 footer to the roster as a center! He can just walk to the basket and drop the ball in! :)














Before you jump on me, please be advised I know it was an April Fools Joke! ;)


that guy is on the thin side now tho skinny as a skeleton

[MJGator8104]

that guy is on the thin side now tho skinny as a skeleton

He was 22 years old when he died in 1940. So, by now, he truly is skeletal...:grin:

[Crono139]

Denson’s first offer came from Tennessee Tech during the summer before his junior season. He has since received solid offers from Buffalo, which he is visiting today, Western Kentucky, North Carolina-Greensboro and Jacksonville State.

He has already been on visits to Auburn and Western Kentucky and worked out for visiting coaches from UCLA and Florida, which he is visiting this weekend.

A trip to Connecticut is set for next weekend, and Virginia Tech is looking at him, too.

"It’s stressful, Denson said. "I can’t wait until my signing day."

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/04/09/1080821/high-school-basketball-shaws-chris.html

[Choco_gator]

Denson is listed at 6-2. Would be nice to get that kind of height in the back court.

[Crono139]

Denson is apparently visiting this weekend.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_uf/2010/04/georgia-pg-chris-denson-taking-official-visit-to-florida-gators.html

[GatorSieg]

Wow, really great to add a 8 footer to the roster as a center! He can just walk to the basket and drop the ball in! :)

Before you jump on me, please be advised I know it was an April Fools Joke! ;)


Hah, nearly did a double take when my name showed up in this thread.

Robert was a first-cousin of mine. The height was a thyroid disorder though, not genetic so no dice for me (5'8).

[MJGator8104]

Hah, nearly did a double take when my name showed up in this thread.

Robert was a first-cousin of mine. The height was a thyroid disorder though, not genetic so no dice for me (5'8).

LOL. I didn't bring him up, but did look him up. Surprising history and too bad he died so early in life. Pretty cool relative to have though. :)

[GothamGator]

That's crazy Sieg. Pretty funny.

[Crono139]

Yeguete to announce today.

[deebo65]

I never get into the early recruiting and saw this today and looked at Gotham's list and just noticed that Al's little brother. I know everyobody has to find their own way, btu I just can't imagine that we weren't in the final play (please letme know if I'm wrong) with him. As well as Al did here and as much as he thrioved in Billy's system and as polished as Billy had him coming out..... How does his brother not want to come here. Maybe it's just me and my O&B glasses. Maybe it's that I am the oldest brother and not the younger wanting my own way... But I just can't see it....

[Crono139]

Steele to Mississippi State.

[rserina]

I never get into the early recruiting and saw this today and looked at Gotham's list and just noticed that Al's little brother. I know everyobody has to find their own way, btu I just can't imagine that we weren't in the final play (please letme know if I'm wrong) with him. As well as Al did here and as much as he thrioved in Billy's system and as polished as Billy had him coming out..... How does his brother not want to come here. Maybe it's just me and my O&B glasses. Maybe it's that I am the oldest brother and not the younger wanting my own way... But I just can't see it....
I don't think we ever offered Horford. He is a little smaller than his brother, but doesn't seem to have the face up game or hops to play the four in our system.

[GothamGator]

I think that's basically correct. We had two potential legacy recruits this year - Horford and Poole, and Donovan decided neither was really a good fit with what we do. That's too bad, but better for all involved if you think about it. No reason for a kid to flounder in the wrong system. Both of those guys landed at major programs.

[docgator81]

Gotham,

You do a very good job with your recruiting list and updates. I am an insider so I read Franz' as well. I don't think anyone would mind if your post got directed to the Insiders Forum.

[GothamGator]

Thanks. I just try to summarize what's already out there so that people who don't follow it every day can get an easy to read summary of what's going on.

[Crono139]

Gators piling on
Coming into the late signing period, Florida was already ranked No. 10 in the country and now the Gators have added more size in power forwards Cody Larson (Sioux Falls, S.D./Roosevelt) and Will Yeguete (Melbourne, Fla./Florida Air Academy). Larson has good athleticism and quickness, which he uses to surprise opposing bigs. The 6-8 lefty also has good strength and finishes around the basket with a good amount of effectiveness. Meanwhile, Yeguete scores mostly on face-up drives from the high post area and from offensive rebound tip-ins.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/columns/story?id=5165589