Kasey hill and Chris Walker

[alietigator]

Both name to McDonald AA team today. Congrats to both.

Only UK, Duke and UF had multiple players. Not bad for a football school.

[GeauxGators05]

I look forward to the addition of those two along with our two transfers to add some quality depth and talent to next years team. Billy D continues to reload our bench with talent and qualtiy year after year. I hope Patrick stays and plays his senior season. If so, we are a top 5 team starting out next year.

[GatorLurker]

I hope Patrick stays and plays his senior season.

I hope that he plays like last Tuesday night for the rest of the year and is a certain lottery pick.

[bullish]

I am ready for the two best freshmen players in one year that the gators have ever gotten. Kasey is the real deal handling, driving and shooting the ball. Hopefully his defense is great also. Chris is probably the most athletic forward we have ever signed at least 6'9" tall. We are going to see some more highlights next year as the two transfers and these two Mickie Dees come in. As a college hoops junkie we will have a top five team. It might take us a little while to get this talent to work together, but come NCAA tournament time next year, I think teams will be hoping not to draw the Gators!

Kentucky will get theirs, well we got some playas coming in!

[ThePlayer]

I look forward to the addition of those two along with our two transfers to add some quality depth and talent to next years team. Billy D continues to reload our bench with talent and qualtiy year after year. I hope Patrick stays and plays his senior season. If so, we are a top 5 team starting out next year.

Which transfers are those again?
Who's your starting 5 next year?

[BengermanV]

Which transfers are those again?
Who's your starting 5 next year?

Probably:

Wilbekin
Frazier
Finney-Smith (who a lot of people say would be one of the best players on the team right now, if not the best)
Yeguete
Harris

But I'd imagine it might look a little different towards the end of the year with either Frazier or Yeguete losing their spot to one of the young guys.

[tampajack1]

I am ready for the two best freshmen players in one year that the gators have ever gotten. Kasey is the real deal handling, driving and shooting the ball. Hopefully his defense is great also. Chris is probably the most athletic forward we have ever signed at least 6'9" tall. We are going to see some more highlights next year as the two transfers and these two Mickie Dees come in. As a college hoops junkie we will have a top five team. It might take us a little while to get this talent to work together, but come NCAA tournament time next year, I think teams will be hoping not to draw the Gators!

Kentucky will get theirs, well we got some playas coming in!

I have to humbly disagree as to these guys being the 2 best freshmen in one year at UF. I would put them behind Udonis, Mike Miller and Teddy Dupay. I also would put them behind Brett Nelson and Donnell Harvey. I also would put them behind Horford and Brewer. I expect Kasey to take a while to become a great college player. He doesn't shoot or defend well right now. What he has going for him is great speed and leaping ability. He has not had as good a high school year as Wilbekin has had a college year this season. We need to be patient with Kasey. I won't be surprised if he turns out to be a 4-year player for us.

[ArtVandelay]

15th and 16th McDonald's All Americans for Billy D! Very impressive!

Does anyone have a list of how many the other schools have in that time period? I'm sure he is behind Duke, NC, Kansas and Arizona, but I don't think too many others have more than us.

[keefer]

I have to humbly disagree as to these guys being the 2 best freshmen in one year at UF. I would put them behind Udonis, Mike Miller and Teddy Dupay. I also would put them behind Brett Nelson and Donnell Harvey. I also would put them behind Horford and Brewer. I expect Kasey to take a while to become a great college player. He doesn't shoot or defend well right now. What he has going for him is great speed and leaping ability. He has not had as good a high school year as Wilbekin has had a college year this season. We need to be patient with Kasey. I won't be surprised if he turns out to be a 4-year player for us.

Not trying to be an ass, but you must know or have seen something that all of the other evaluators out there have not. If he is such a project as you make him out to be, then how could he have gone to absolutely any school in the country and play for any coach in the country that he wanted to?

[gatorkarl]

I'm certainly not a good judge of talent but to my untrained eye Chris Walker has so many skills with the ball that White Chocolate is the only one I can think of that probably came on campus able to do more things with the ball. It's possible I was blinded to an extent seeing someone of this height handle the ball with such ease during warmups and showing alll kinds of skills.

[supagator]

Do either of these guys have any grade concerns?

[108]

Starting 5 will be:

Hill
Scotty
Finney Smith / Prather
Walker
Young

[xenythx]

Chris Walker to me could go either way in terms of living up to potential. He's got incredible physical skills but he mostly dunks on kids like 6 inches shorter than him.

Kasey Hill, on the other hand, I see a flat out stud. Great handles, incredible change of pace, wicked crossover, athletic, great vision, ability to finish in traffic, and a decently-reliable jumper.

I think he's an impact player from game one.

[InstiGATOR1]

Recruiting service composite index, RSCI, comes up with a composite index every year. Their final rankings show UF's top 2/3 recruits in important years:

1998: Miller 13, Dupay 20, Halton 53
1999: Harvey 1, Nelson 7, Bonner 38
2001: Lee 10, White 22 [Number 1 recruit Brown signed but entered the NBA draft.]
2004: Brewer 25, Horford 47, Noah 72
2007: Calathes 11, Lucas 32, Parson 46
2010: Young 19, Prather 52, Larson 88

Clearly if you are talking about recruiting rankings Harvey and Nelson were more highly rated than Hill and C.Walker. If you are talking about play at UF, then Brewer and Horford are best.

I included in three names so that everyone can claim to win. If UF gets Randle who probably ends up about 4, to go with Hill who probably ends up about 10 and C. Walker who probably ends up about 12 to 14 in the RSCI final rankings of this class, then UF probably has the best group of 3 recruits in history though I guess some would argue for Harvey, Nelson and Bonner.

[bullish]

Teddy Dupay was a great set shooter, but driving the ball to the hoop, just good, not great. Kasey is the best pg Florida will see for a long long time. Wilbekin is playing great defense and his offensive game is coming around. He doesn't drive the ball that well and his shooting could be a lot better. I love that he is improving with great strides on the offensive side of the ball. Kasey's offensive game is already better, his defense probably isn't as good. Noah and Horford came into their own in the sophomore years. Chris might take that, but his skills you can't teach. That is great leaping ability, explosive and fast. His shooting we will see, but with Kasey, Scottie and Braxton driving the ball, Chris will prosper. Matter of fact, all the bigs will prosper. ESPN will have highlights of Chiris next year. Think a little taller Dominuque Wilkins.

The transfers will have to prove they have good inside games so we can have consistent scoring under the boards. I think they will. Saying Finney-Smith is maybe the best player at Florida now, is hyping our transfer. He will have to prove he has game in front of the cameras for all to see. I hope it is true, he looks like a baller. Harris is rehabbing, I hope he can provide boards, defense and a little inside game to go with that. All in all, these are great arguments. Billy will have to get this talent to play together, think Calipari this year for the problems that great talent brings. I think with a couple of pg's on the team already knowing the system, we will be loaded both on the boards and under the basket and will be able to continue a high level of play right from the start. Pat is the unkown, if, if, he comes back, the only reason would be to get to the final four. If he does, I would be elated to have two centers that have game. If not, which my gut says he doesn't, we will still have a lot of options.

These two freshmen are very good players who will be able to provide a lot of highlights in their freshmen year. Mark it down!

[InstiGATOR1]

Starting 5 will be:

Hill
Scotty
Finney Smith / Prather
Walker
Young

My guess is that the two deep will be:

PG: Wilbekin, with Hill getting good minutes.
SG: Frazier, Graham
SF: Finney-Smith, Prather
PF: Yeguete, Walker, if Walker is a raw as Young, he will have trouble not fouling and thus will have trouble staying in games
C: Harris,

[supagator]

Do either of these guys have any grade concerns?

Does anyone know this answer, thought I heard waker still has work to do! Could be just rumor I don't know..

[bullish]

I guess in talent alone, this would be like getting Vernon Maxwell and Livingston Chatman in the same recruiting class. I knew both of those were the bomb, and they proved it. Liv just had bad knees, Vernon "Mad Max" Maxwell played I believe 14 yrs in the NBA. I know these two Mickie Dees will prove it to the Gator Nation.

[themistocles]

I am ready for the two best freshmen players in one year that the gators have ever gotten. Kasey is the real deal handling, driving and shooting the ball. Hopefully his defense is great also. Chris is probably the most athletic forward we have ever signed at least 6'9" tall. We are going to see some more highlights next year as the two transfers and these two Mickie Dees come in. As a college hoops junkie we will have a top five team. It might take us a little while to get this talent to work together, but come NCAA tournament time next year, I think teams will be hoping not to draw the Gators!

Kentucky will get theirs, well we got some playas coming in!

You are obviously very young. One year, the Gators got 3 of the top 10, including #1 in Brown, plus White and Lee. Only Lee played out, however, one of the problems with top 10 guys. These are not the 2 Best players the Gators ever got. Under Billy D, sometimes they got incredible players who weren't top 10, like Horford & Noah.

There are a lot of really outstanding players who are not highly ranked. Take, for example, Frazier this year.

I really don't expect either to start, just like Donnel Harvey, also, #1, was a backup, although admittedly, as a frosh he averaged 20 minutes per game, averaged 10 points per game and was the Gator's leading rebounder.

[madgator]

Chris Walker to me could go either way in terms of living up to potential. He's got incredible physical skills but he mostly dunks on kids like 6 inches shorter than him.

Kasey Hill, on the other hand, I see a flat out stud. Great handles, incredible change of pace, wicked crossover, athletic, great vision, ability to finish in traffic, and a decently-reliable jumper.

I think he's an impact player from game one.



Kasey Hill is Iverson crossed with Dwayne Wade

[InstiGATOR1]

Teddy Dupay was a great set shooter, but driving the ball to the hoop, just good, not great. Kasey is the best pg Florida will see for a long long time. Wilbekin is playing great defense and his offensive game is coming around. He doesn't drive the ball that well and his shooting could be a lot better. I love that he is improving with great strides on the offensive side of the ball. Kasey's offensive game is already better, his defense probably isn't as good. Noah and Horford came into their own in the sophomore years. Chris might take that, but his skills you can't teach. That is great leaping ability, explosive and fast. His shooting we will see, but with Kasey, Scottie and Braxton driving the ball, Chris will prosper. Matter of fact, all the bigs will prosper. ESPN will have highlights of Chiris next year. Think a little taller Dominuque Wilkins.

The transfers will have to prove they have good inside games so we can have consistent scoring under the boards. I think they will. Saying Finney-Smith is maybe the best player at Florida now, is hyping our transfer. He will have to prove he has game in front of the cameras for all to see. I hope it is true, he looks like a baller. Harris is rehabbing, I hope he can provide boards, defense and a little inside game to go with that. All in all, these are great arguments. Billy will have to get this talent to play together, think Calipari this year for the problems that great talent brings. I think with a couple of pg's on the team already knowing the system, we will be loaded both on the boards and under the basket and will be able to continue a high level of play right from the start. Pat is the unkown, if, if, he comes back, the only reason would be to get to the final four. If he does, I would be elated to have two centers that have game. If not, which my gut says he doesn't, we will still have a lot of options.

These two freshmen are very good players who will be able to provide a lot of highlights in their freshmen year. Mark it down!

Well:

1. Finney-Smith and Harris have already played college games. Finney-Smith has grabbed 12 rebounds in a game at Duke. Finney-Smith has scored 17 points in a college game. Harris really has had double doubles in SEC games against good SEC teams. So the Frosh as highly acclaimed as they are are the guys who have to prove they can do in in front of the cameras.

2. Wilbekin is at worst a solid college guard. Hill is a high energy high risk high school guard who can have a bunch of turnovers in a row. Hill will certainly play a bunch next year, but he will also be learning to be a college PG on both offense and defense.

[swampgas44]

Recruiting service composite index, RSCI, comes up with a composite index every year. Their final rankings show UF's top 2/3 recruits in important years:

1998: Miller 13, Dupay 20, Halton 53
1999: Harvey 1, Nelson 7, Bonner 38
2001: Lee 10, White 22 [Number 1 recruit Brown signed but entered the NBA draft.]
2004: Brewer 25, Horford 47, Noah 72
2007: Calathes 11, Lucas 32, Parson 46
2010: Young 19, Prather 52, Larson 88

Clearly if you are talking about recruiting rankings Harvey and Nelson were more highly rated than Hill and C.Walker. If you are talking about play at UF, then Brewer and Horford are best.

I included in three names so that everyone can claim to win. If UF gets Randle who probably ends up about 4, to go with Hill who probably ends up about 10 and C. Walker who probably ends up about 12 to 14 in the RSCI final rankings of this class, then UF probably has the best group of 3 recruits in history though I guess some would argue for Harvey, Nelson and Bonner.

When I see the above list by year and see Jai Lucas at #32 (2007) I cringe and realize how political these rankings can be and the value a last name can have. I do believe that Kasey Hill and Chris Walker are legit and will be impact players.

[Gator4Peace]

Kasey Hill is Iverson crossed with Dwayne Wade

Bffffffwhwhwhwhwhaaaaaaaaaattt????

What?

Brother, I wear O&B shades, but that is ridiculous.

[madgator]

Bffffffwhwhwhwhwhaaaaaaaaaattt????

What?

Brother, I wear O&B shades, but that is ridiculous.



Like I have said, he should be ranked at lowest #3 in this class. Good argument to put him at #2. Wiggins is a sick freak of nature and has too much potential. But 15 years from now I would actually put a higher possibility of Hill being the better of the two when the NBA careers are over. Hill is certainly a better player with more ready skills than Wiggins.

I really don't think you guys understand just how good this kid is and what he is going to show for the one year he will be with us.

[bullish]

To all the gators fans here that aren't aboard the Hill/Walker freshmen train, I have this to say, first the two transfers did do some great things as freshmen. These two freshmen we have coming in are scoring machines.

Everybody can't throw a 100 mph fastball. Also, not everybody can handle the ball and score at will. This is the reason these two are so highly acclaimed. I would have hated seeing Walker go to Kentucky and have him waltz through us and slam it home before we could even react. Maybe Kasey Hill at Duke leading them to the Final Four? I would puke. I am glad these two came aboard to a great team and will only make us better.

We might get these guys for just one year, I hope not, but when the talent is this good, Billy can't afford to waste it. It's:yes: 5 o'clock somewhere, so hoist your favorite beverage and tell people the Gators are coming!

[born2beagator]

Both name to McDonald AA team today. Congrats to both.

Only UK, Duke and UF had multiple players. Not bad for a football school.

I'm looking at ESPN right now and WWW's buddy Slimy Cal has 5 AAs, a record. Not sure where you are getting Duke and UF with the only multiple AAs.

I really hate that man, represents everything that is wrong with College basketball with his one and done recruiting. Glad we have Billy and not him. Heck I wouldn't take Cal if we didn't have Billy. Kentucky's success is only going to last until Cal slips up again and has to jet before the hammer comes down like he happened with every other job of his.

Defend him all you want resident Kittens, you can't convince me he is clean with all the smoke around his entire career.

[REM08]

Bffffffwhwhwhwhwhaaaaaaaaaattt????

What?

Brother, I wear O&B shades, but that is ridiculous.

He forgot to throw in a side of Michael Jordan and a pinch of the Toby Maguire version of spiderman.

[MadduxFanII]

He forgot to throw in a side of Michael Jordan and a pinch of the Toby Maguire version of spiderman.

The Tobey Maguire version of Spider-Man from the first two movies or the Emo haircut, Look-At-Me-Rebelliously-Play-Jazz-Piano version from the third one? Because if it's the latter, to hell with that.

[gatordd]

you guys crack me up. the lineup will be:

Hill/Braxton
Wilby/Frazier/Dill
DFS/Prather/Walker
Walker/Yeguete
Young/Harris

More likely Young goes pro and Yeguete slides into starting spot at 5. Wilby and Hill will split ball handling duties. Some will argue that Chris comes off bench. Not a chance, to many top recruits watching how this plays out.

[dalwood13]

you guys crack me up. the lineup will be:

Hill/Braxton
Wilby/Frazier/Dill
DFS/Prather/Walker
Walker/Yeguete
Young/Harris



I agree with this but I really think it will be a battle between Prather and Finney-Smith for the starting 3 spot. If Young stays for his senior year or we sign Randle, this could be the deepest, most versatile team Donovan has ever had.

[LabraGator]

Not sure where you are getting Duke and UF with the only multiple AAs.


:confused:

[HALLGATOR]

I'm looking at ESPN right now and WWW's buddy Slimy Cal has 5 AAs, a record. Not sure where you are getting Duke and UF with the only multiple AAs.

I really hate that man, represents everything that is wrong with College basketball with his one and done recruiting. Glad we have Billy and not him. Heck I wouldn't take Cal if we didn't have Billy. Kentucky's success is only going to last until Cal slips up again and has to jet before the hammer comes down like he happened with every other job of his.

Defend him all you want resident Kittens, you can't convince me he is clean with all the smoke around his entire career.

Maybe you shouldn't post until you are more awake. He clearly has UK in what you quoted and replied to.

[SmootyGator]

Maybe you shouldn't post until you are more awake. He clearly has UK in what you quoted and replied to.

I actually read it the same way the first time too. I was like: "No UK?", but then I went back and read it.

[Colin]

Like I have said, he should be ranked at lowest #3 in this class. Good argument to put him at #2. Wiggins is a sick freak of nature and has too much potential. But 15 years from now I would actually put a higher possibility of Hill being the better of the two when the NBA careers are over. Hill is certainly a better player with more ready skills than Wiggins.

I really don't think you guys understand just how good this kid is and what he is going to show for the one year he will be with us.

Can he play defense? Every video I have seen of Hill is all offense.

[InstiGATOR1]

More likely Young goes pro and Yeguete slides into starting spot at 5. Wilby and Hill will split ball handling duties. Some will argue that Chris comes off bench. Not a chance, to many top recruits watching how this plays out.

Well, I too am in the camp that recognizes that no player particularly one who is as good a teammate and guy Young seems to be from afar is not going to talk about leaving his teammaters early during the season. He will however sit down and make a rational decision after the season. He may find it in his best interst to leave after this season.

If Young goes, I view Harris as the starter at the 5. Though I have listed Yegete as starting, I agree that C. Walker may well start over Yeguete at the 4. As of now there are about 25 minutes for Walker next year. If he gets that many minutes, it will be because he is able to stay out of foul trouble. Young did not start his Frosh year, he was too raw. I guess Harvey did start early in his Frosh year, had a bit of snit and lost that starting slot. The interesting thing will be will C.Walker really be one and done? His ranking seems to be sliding into the range below the usual one and done. Still he could go whether he starts or not.

As far as Hill goes, it would be the rare NCAA head basketball coach that would bench Wilbekin to put the ball in the hands of a true frosh who seems to be turnover prone sometimes in high school. I do think Hill like C.Walker will play 25ish minutes. I expect Wilbekin to run the offense but Hill to help break presses.

[madgator]

Well, I too am in the camp that recognizes that no player particularly one who is as good a teammate and guy Young seems to be from afar is not going to talk about leaving his teammaters early during the season. He will however sit down and make a rational decision after the season. He may find it in his best interst to leave after this season.

If Young goes, I view Harris as the starter at the 5. Though I have listed Yegete as starting, I agree that C. Walker may well start over Yeguete at the 4. As of now there are about 25 minutes for Walker next year. If he gets that many minutes, it will be because he is able to stay out of foul trouble. Young did not start his Frosh year, he was too raw. I guess Harvey did start early in his Frosh year, had a bit of snit and lost that starting slot. The interesting thing will be will C.Walker really be one and done? His ranking seems to be sliding into the range below the usual one and done. Still he could go whether he starts or not.

As far as Hill goes, it would be the rare NCAA head basketball coach that would bench Wilbekin to put the ball in the hands of a true frosh who seems to be turnover prone sometimes in high school. I do think Hill like C.Walker will play 25ish minutes. I expect Wilbekin to run the offense but Hill to help break presses.



We need to relax on this "turnover prone" thing with Hill.

1. I am sure that Hill is trying to put on a show each and every night out. Trying to do too much to impress. Seeing exactly what he can get away with. When he has played in AAU games his productivity and his game control has been a lot better. Good chance that 90% of the time he is playing in high school he is goofing around. With kids at his level playing on the high school circuit, it's like Einstein doing long division with 4th graders......they get bored.

2. in high school the overall surrounding talent on his own team is not going to see the game on Hills level and anticipate the same reactions.....we all saw this quite a bit with JWill at UF. Many of his turnovers were great plays that his team mates weren't in synch with. Yes, Monteverde has a great team but they are not all D-1 level players in terms of size, speed and athleticism. Having great tools to work with as a point guard can make him a whole lot better.

3. At UF he will play within a much more regulated and controlled system. Hill knows the game and is a good coachable kid. He will adjust.


and Andrew Harrison (while being very good) is probably the most over-rated recruit in the country right now.

[LabraGator]

Can he play defense? Every video I have seen of Hill is all offense.

Very legitimate question. I'm interested in hearing from those having first hand knowledge.

More importantly, is his willingness to buy into the 100% defense philosophy once he arrives here. He seems to possess the athletic ability.

[madgator]

Very legitimate question. I'm interested in hearing from those having first hand knowledge.

More importantly, is his willingness to buy into the 100% defense philosophy once he arrives here. He seems to possess the athletic ability.

all the tools are there. 6'5 wingspan for a 6'1 kid. Ultra-quick feet. Amazing leaping ability. Seems to have quite a few help side blocks on his highlight reels. So the anticipation and instinct seems to be there

Unfortunately, I really didn't pay much attention to his man to man or rotation habits on defense the maybe 6-8 times I have watched his games on TV. Honestly, no matter what I saw it wouldn't faze me one way or the other. This is something that will be coached up regardless.

[gatormann]

The issue of turnovers is going to be a concern over any freshman point guard, no matter how talented they are. That's why it will be tempting to start out by keeping the experienced Wilbekin as the starter.

I'd expect to see Hill earn the nod by January.

You'd figure that Wilbekin would fit equally as well at the shooting guard spot but his selfless temperment makes him such a nice fit at the point.

One of the other interesting dynamics of the roster is that it appears likely that Florida will probably return to having a true small forward in the lineup, ie Dorian Finney Smith with Prather also getting big minutes. That pushes Frazier into playing nearly all of his minutes at the 2 guard.

[tampajack1]

Not trying to be an ass, but you must know or have seen something that all of the other evaluators out there have not. If he is such a project as you make him out to be, then how could he have gone to absolutely any school in the country and play for any coach in the country that he wanted to?

Keefer:

I can't tell you why I might disagree with the professional recruiting analysts, but I do from time to time. Any evaluation I have of a high school player is based on some combination of seeing the kid play in Tampa, in Lakeland at the high school state championships, at the City of Palms, and/or on television. I don't base anything on highlight videos, as they are completely meaningless. So, I don't see that many kids play, but the kids I do see play generally are playing for their high school teams in games against really good competition.

Based on my limited viewing of these kids, I believe that I have noted the following over the last few years:

1. Fab Melo (rated in the top 10 by the experts) is a big stiff and is nowhere near as good as the Sheehy kid who plays with him at Sagemont. Note: I believe that I was right on that one. Melo was a stiff, and Sheehy is a solid player for Indiana.

2. Ray Shipman (Miami Pace) is not that good a player. Note: I believe that I was right on this one, but I did think that he would be better than he turned out to be.

3. Neither Vargas nor Kadji will start over Tyus at center as freshmen. Pretty much everyone disagreed with me on this one.

4. We should sign Shane Larkin over Austin Rivers. All the experts and most Gator fans disagreed with me on this one. Note: We should have gone after Shane. Supposedly, he was a big Gator fan.

5. The Lake Howell point guard (Joey Rodriguez) playing with Parsons and Calathes is really good and could help us. Note: He went on to play really well at VCU.

6. Justin Jackson from Arlington Country day is really good, and we should go after him. Note: Justin starts for Cincinatti. He was at several Gator games sitting behind the Gator bench. He likely would be a solid role player for us.

7. That brings me to Kasey Hill. Kasey is coveted because he is explosively quick and is a tremendous leaper. He also is an outstanding ballhandler and has really good court vision. He should become an outstanding point guard. However, he has deficiencies. He is not a good defender right now. He also is not a good outside shooter, although he is improving. He is an outstanding free-throw shooter. His court judgement is not real good right now. He forces things. In a televised summer game, Kasey had 9 or 10 turnovers at half-time. However, he lead his team to victory. IMO, he is not as good a point guard as Joel Berry right now, nor is he as good a point guard as was Larkin in high school. So, my guess is that he comes off the bench next year as our 3rd guard and starts as a sophomore. I also think that he will be a great college player, but I don't expect him to be a star in his first year at Florida.

[madgator]

Keefer:

I can't tell you why I might disagree with the professional recruiting analysts, but I do from time to time. Any evaluation I have of a high school player is based on some combination of seeing the kid play in Tampa, in Lakeland at the high school state championships, at the City of Palms, and/or on television. I don't base anything on highlight videos, as they are completely meaningless. So, I don't see that many kids play, but the kids I do see play generally are playing for their high school teams in games against really good competition.

Based on my limited viewing of these kids, I believe that I have noted the following over the last few years:

1. Fab Melo (rated in the top 10 by the experts) is a big stiff and is nowhere near as good as the Sheehy kid who plays with him at Sagemont. Note: I believe that I was right on that one. Melo was a stiff, and Sheehy is a solid player for Indiana.

2. Ray Shipman (Miami Pace) is not that good a player. Note: I believe that I was right on this one, but I did think that he would be better than he turned out to be.

3. Neither Vargas nor Kadji will start over Tyus at center as freshmen. Pretty much everyone disagreed with me on this one.

4. We should sign Shane Larkin over Austin Rivers. All the experts and most Gator fans disagreed with me on this one. Note: We should have gone after Shane. Supposedly, he was a big Gator fan.

5. The Lake Howell point guard (Joey Rodriguez) playing with Parsons and Calathes is really good and could help us. Note: He went on to play really well at VCU.

6. Justin Jackson from Arlington Country day is really good, and we should go after him. Note: Justin starts for Cincinatti. He was at several Gator games sitting behind the Gator bench. He likely would be a solid role player for us.

7. That brings me to Kasey Hill. Kasey is coveted because he is explosively quick and is a tremendous leaper. He also is an outstanding ballhandler and has really good court vision. He should become an outstanding point guard. However, he has deficiencies. He is not a good defender right now. He also is not a good outside shooter, although he is improving. He is an outstanding free-throw shooter. His court judgement is not real good right now. He forces things. In a televised summer game, Kasey had 9 or 10 turnovers at half-time. However, he lead his team to victory. IMO, he is not as good a point guard as Joel Berry right now, nor is he as good a point guard as was Larkin in high school. So, my guess is that he comes off the bench next year as our 3rd guard and starts as a sophomore. I also think that he will be a great college player, but I don't expect him to be a star in his first year at Florida.



Fair assessment on Hill. The only counter points I'll make is that outside of maybe Donnell Harvey, Kasey could very well be the best athlete we ever had and that when he is focused and on his game. He is almost unstoppable in every respect. He can literally put a team on his back and single handidly win games (and not just through scoring).

there is no doubt that he is a special talent with far more upside than Joel Berry

[StrangeGator]

Not getting into the debate about how good these kids are, just looking forward to seeing them play in the McD game. Might even pay extra money to get seats near the court this year. I know that's a crazy kind of game, but we should get a little more insight into their potential during that game. Best part will be seeing them both on the court at the same time.

[gatordd]

Some of these posts are comical. Kasey will prove his doubters wrong from day one.

I've seen him play over 20 times in prep/AAU. He is the best player we have ever signed.

[madgator]

Some of these posts are comical. Kasey will prove his doubters wrong from day one.

I've seen him play over 20 times in prep/AAU. He is the best player we have ever signed.


I agree.....however I do understand the criticisms

just think that they are slightly over-done. I think he is the best PG in the country regardless of class. Also think that Emmanual Mudiay is the second best. Berry the 3rd, and Jones being 4th

Andrew Harrison I would put as the 5th best PG in high school today regardless of class.


I don't like his handle. I think he is a tad slow of foot for a point guard. I see him more a 2 guard that is being pushed into the point role in large part to increase his profile and potential draft status. As a scorer and as a 2 guard, I actually think his brother is better.

No way Harrison should be ranked above Hill.

[InstiGATOR1]

We need to relax on this "turnover prone" thing with Hill.

3. At UF he will play within a much more regulated and controlled system. Hill knows the game and is a good coachable kid. He will adjust.

and Andrew Harrison (while being very good) is probably the most over-rated recruit in the country right now.

The thing is, that even if he is not turnover prone, Hill will have to gain Donovan's confidence in his ball handling ability to get Donovan to bench or move Wilbekin off the ball. I am not sure Donovan will be willing to do that very easily. Also Hill will need to gain the confidence of UF's rebounders. It took a while into this season for them to quit looking for Boynton and start looking for Wilbekin once they got the ball.

I do agree Hill will learn and adjust as a college Frosh. That is what most Frosh must do even the most highly recruited. As I have said, I expect him to play starter, ie 25ish minutes.

I am on the same page with you about Andrew Harrison. Like the mythical 6'+ CB recruit often ending up at FS or SS or WLB, the 6'5"+ PG recruit is often a 2 or even a 3.

[StrangeGator]

Only concern I have about Hill for his first year is his size and strength. He looks awfully skinny. Is that a problem for him if he's still below 180-185 by the time the season starts?