The Florida Gators picked up two SEC wins last week with victories over LSU and the 20th ranked Missouri Tigers.
Forward Colin Castleton averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3.5 blocks during that span. His performances awarded him SEC player of the week for the fourth time in his career.
Only Vernon Maxwell has earned the award more in Florida history.
Most SEC Player of the Week Honors by Gators
5 – Vernon Maxwell
4 – Colin Castleton
3 – Dan Cross, Jalen Hudson, Scottie Wilbekin
The 6-11 big man scored his 1,000th point as a Gator in the win vs. Missouri, becoming the second transfer in Florida history to reach the milestone (Dorian Finney-Smith) and the 55th overall member of Florida’s 1,000-point club.
Castleton is the first SEC player this century to post 16 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocked shots in a conference game (Missouri). He’s the second to do so in any game (Ben Simmons, 12/2/15 vs. North Florida). Castleton is the first player nationally to hit all of those marks vs. a D-I opponent in nearly four years (Jordan Murphy, Minnesota, 1/19/19 vs. Penn State) and only the fourth this century to do so against a power-conference opponent. His six assists and three steals marked career highs, while his 13 rebounds were a season high. Castleton logged his 16th double-double against Missouri, surpassing Joakim Noah and Chandler Parsons’ career totals for fifth-most at UF since 1996-97.
Against LSU, Castleton did most of his damage from the free throw line, connecting on 12 of 15 attempts from the charity stripe, marking a career high for makes and attempts. Castleton led the Gators in scoring with 18 points, adding seven rebounds and five blocks to the stat sheet (team highs).
Castleton has proven to be a solid free throw shooting big man. He’s made clutch free throws in close games down the stretch; his season average sits at 70%, which is very good for a 6-11 forward.
Castleton’s plus/minus of 24 ranks 3rd on the Gators during the last two games, trailing only Myreon Jones and Riley Kugel. His season plus/minus sits at 135, the highest for Todd Golden’s squad.
Castleton continues to prove why he’s one of the most valuable players in the SEC. Even when he’s not the one scoring the basketball, he’s affecting the game in a positive manner. His feel for the game helps him as a rim protecter, a passer, and a leader.
If the Gators are able to continue their successful path in the SEC, it will be at the hands of Colin Castleton.