Another big man in play for Gators
While Florida has struck out on the recruiting trail for a number of big man recruits, there is still a chance that the Gators could get added frontcourt help in 2012.
Montrezl Harrell, a four-star 2012 power forward from Tarboro, N.C., has listed Florida in his final four with Cincinnati. Louisville and Alabama. Harrell was released from his letter of intent at Virginia Tech earlier this week.
According to a Scout.com report, the 6-foot-7, 235-pound Harrell lacks perimeter skills but is a physical presence underneath the basket with “freakish” athletic ability. Scout.com rates Harrell as the 14th best power forward in the Class of 2012. Harrell spent this past season at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, the same school that produced former UF big man Marreese Speights.
In short, Harrell would give the Gators a second physical presence to spell Patric Young in case Young gets hurt or is in foul trouble.
The Gators have whiffed on a number of frontcourt prospects in 2012, including Anthony Bennett (UNLV), Jarnell Stokes (Tennessee), Robert Carter (Georgia Tech), Brice Johnson (North Carolina) and Alex Poythress (Kentucky). Florida also is pursuing the transfer route to fill its lack of depth up front, having talked with South Carolina big man Damontre Harris and Virginia Tech forward Dorain Finney-Smith. Harris is mulling offers between Florida and Kansas, but could also return to South Carolina. Finney-Smith is considering a number of offers including UF, Old Dominion, Memphis and Texas.
Kevin Brockway gave up on his dream of becoming a lefty starting pitcher for the New York Mets when he walked four straight batters, then hit one in a middle school game in Suffern, N.Y. Since graduating college in 1993, he’s worked as a sports writer at daily newspapers throughout the state of Florida, beginning with the Key West Citizen. He then moved on to the Northwest Florida Daily News and Naples Daily News before becoming the men’s basketball writer for The Gainesville Sun in 2003. Brockway has won multiple state and national writing awards during his 16-year career. Favorite pastimes include karaoke and watching baseball. Favorite college hoops team growing up was St. John’s.
What is timing for announcements for any of these three bigs?
by FL-Oracle
Thanks for the update! Any idea when the potential transfers might make a decision?
by JaxGator47
I thought D Harris was down to UF and Kansas. When did USC get back in?
D Harris was also going to announce on Friday? Also word on the street is that UF might have upset Harris by showing love to Finney-Smith
Do you have any dates for any of the 3?
Go Gators!
by gators79
Word on the street “Montrezl Harrell is favoring UL” That is coming from his Pop.
What say you?
by gators79
Thanks Kevin. I wish one of these or the guy from Jax, if he’s still out there, would commit to us. This is starting to get to me.
by ngamtngator
He visited Louisville but didn’t commit. With recruiting you never know but I’d have to say Louisville is the frontrunner. Florida now in final four so you still have a 25 percent chance.
by Kevin Brockway
Harris has said in the past he wouldn’t rule out returning to SC to play for new coach Frank Martin. Longer this drags out, more likely the possibility. As for dates, not hearing anything imminent but transfer deadlines academically for most courses of UF study is June 1. Some schools (including journalism) is July 1. Of course, there’s a chance UF could work around that for athletes. Don’t know for sure.
by Kevin Brockway
Kevin: Do you think that Donovan coaching Harrell in the USA under 18 game will have any effect on his recruitment?
by Kyle
Kevin,
Thanks for the information. I would like Harrell as our primary recruit, he needs to develop (most likely would hang out for few years) also he can start playing immediately. We need a big body that can slow down some of the PF in the league.
Ngamtngator,
Hayes is the one from Jax and he signed with Georgetown. I don’t know why but UF never offered him. Could be grades. He looked good on film but I’m just a fan. The man with the two NC rings knows better than me.
Thanks Again Kevin
Go Gators
by gators79
Wait!! Please Wait!! Am I understanding that kid can get into Georgetown but not into Florida? I’m a 1969 Florida grad who loves this school but I admit I will be somewhat apoplectic if it’s true this guy wanted to go to Florida, couldn’t get in and is allowed to enroll at Georgetown.
by Lou
Why on earth can’t Billy recruit big men?????
by Jake
The transfers wouldn’t help us until 3013 and there are some excellent freshman prospects that year. Billy doesn’t want to take up space on the roster or discourage incoming frosh from signing. I looked at the You Tube of the big guy from Jax and he didn’t look like the next Dwight Howard. Finney Smith might be OK if he could convert to a 3. Harris didn’t do much for So. Carolina as the finished last. I think that Billy prefers bigs with offensive skills.
by william
Gator79, thanks for the update on Hayes.
william, I understand your point on the 2013 prospects but we need another Big now! We will have 3-4 spots probably for the 2013 class.
by ngamtngator
it’s not the point we can’t get big man, but when we get them we lose them…you can’t always get the super stars but if you believe in your program to develope guys then you should be able to take on any player and mold him…who ever saw guys like parson, bonner, noah, lee as being impact players in the NBA?…to me that’s yound and Kenny B. are going to be good because they stayed in the program..
by GOTTAPROVEME