Murphy, who led the SEC in 3-point shooting at 45.3 percent this past season, opened a few eyes with his combination of size and perimeter touch.

“Early on, he struggled a little bit with his shooting but he finished strong,” said an NBA personnel executive who attended the camp. “The key for him is going to be the workouts. I was told he has about 11 or 12 lined up. If he does well in half of them, it will serve him well. The coach (Billy Donovan) is telling people he’s a better shooter than Matt Bonner, and that he was one of the hardest workers on the team.”

Murphy’s measurements at the NBA draft combine included a height of 6-foot-9.5 inches (in sneakers) and a weight of 240 pounds. He’s currently projected as a mid-to-late second-round NBA draft pick. Bonner was a second-round pick by the Toronto Raptors in 2003 and has carved out a nice, 10-year NBA career as a 3-point shooting specialist off the bench. Bonner’s recent contributions have helped the San Antonio Spurs take a 2-0 lead over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Western Conference finals.

Here’s a video of Murphy’s thoughts following the NBA predraft camp, which includes some interesting answers on how he feels Donovan helps prepare players for the NBA level.

Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario did not receive invitations for the NBA predraft camp.

Larson has transferred to South Dakota State, saying he “just wants to play basketball”. The campus, located in Brookings, S.D., is about 45 minutes from Larson’s hometown of Sioux Falls, S.D. South Dakota State has reached the NCAA Tournament in each of its last two seasons as champions of the Summit League.

A change of scenery was needed for Larson, who struggled both on and off the court in his three seasons at UF. A four-star recruit, the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Larson never lived up to comparisons of Mike Miller, UF’s last recruit from South Dakota.

Larson was initially red-shirted, then following his redshirt freshman season, was involved in an off-season arrest with teammate Erik Murphy outside a St. Augustine bar. Felony burglary charges were reduced to misdemeanor criminal trespass.

This past season, Larson lost his scholarship because Florida coach Billy Donovan said he did not meet up with responsibilities off the court and in the classroom. Not wanting to go through the season as a walk-on, Larson left the team in late October to focus on academics. Larson averaged just 0.8 points and 0.5 rebounds in his lone full season at UF.

“Through all the trouble I’ve been in, I know that this will be the hardest task to take on in terms of maturity,” Larson told the Argus Leader. “If I can utilize my talents and my potential in this aspect of my life, I’m completely confident about any other area of my life.”

Larson is Florida’s seventh transfer since 2009. Here’s a look at the list:

Kenny Kadji — Miami

Eloy Vargas — Miami Dade College, Kentucky

Allan Chaney — Virginia Tech, High Point

Ray Shipman — UCF

Walter Pitchford — Nebraska

Braxton Ogbueze — UNC Charlotte

Cody Larson — South Dakota State

Top 2013 national recruit Andrew Wiggins announced that he’s accepted a scholarship to Kansas, surprising many recruiting analysts that had him pegged for either Kentucky or Florida State.

The 6-foot-7, 205-pound Wiggins, son of former NBA and FSU guard Mitchell Wiggins, has been dubbed as the “Canadian LeBron James” due to his his combination of strength, speed and ability to get to the rim. A Toronto native, Wiggins spent this past season playing at Huntington Prep School in Huntington, W. Va.

“I think he’s going to be not just a good player, but has a chance to be a great one,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I know people that support our program are going to be pleasantly surprises when they see him run and play the very first time he gets an opportunity.”

Florida will have five months to figure out which player will guard Wiggins. But the Gators have plenty of options, ranging from Will Yeguete to Casey Prather to Scottie Wilbekin to Dorian Finney-Smith.

Even with Wiggins in fold, Self is concerned about how his young Kansas team will handle the environment at the O’Connell Center. Kansas’ roster will feature mostly freshmen and sophomores, including sophomore forward Perry Ellis, freshman McDonald’s All-American point guard Wayne Selden and freshman center Joel Embiid, who spent last season at the Rock School in Gainesville.

“We got a difficult draw going to Gainesville, but it should be a good preparation game and one that will warrant a lot of national attention,” Self said. “Florida has a roster that I think people can make a case for as one of the better rosters in America next year with a chance to win it all. Hopefully we’re going in that direction as well. So it should be very exciting, a lot of young players going at one another.”

Here’s a look at the rest of the SEC-Big 12 pairings:

Nov. 14 — Texas Tech at Alabama

Dec. 2 — Vanderbilt at Texas,  Auburn at Iowa State

Dec. 5 — Ole Miss at Kansas State, West Virginia at Missouri, TCU at Mississippi State

Dec. 6 — South Carolina at Oklahoma State, Kentucky vs. Baylor (Arlington, Texas)

Dec. 10 — Kansas at Florida

Dec. 21 — Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M (Houston)

Murphy hired Andy Miller of ASM Sports as an agent and is working out in Las Vegas with renowned strength and conditioning coach Joe Abunassar. Miller’s clients have included former Gator center Marreese Speights (Cleveland Cavaliers) and former UF point guard Taurean Green.

The 6-foot-10 Murphy is considered an NBA prospect due the combination of his size and shooting ability. Murphy, who averaged 12.2 points as a senior, led the Southeastern Conference in 3-point shooting percent at 45.3 percent in 2012-13.

Most NBA mock draft websites currently have Murphy projected as a mid second-round pick. Draftxpress currently has Murphy going 48th overall (18th pick, second round) to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“They’ve told us that if he does well in the workouts, he could move up to late in the first round,” said Murphy’s father, Jay Murphy. who played four seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards before continuing his career overseas. “But he could also fall out of the draft if he doesn’t work out as well. So it’s a wide range. I think Erik is prepared for what’s in front of him.”

Murphy struggled in his final two Florida games, going a combined 2 of 18 from the floor against Florida Gulf Coast and Michigan. A stomach illness bothered Murphy earlier that week, though he refused to use it as an excuse for his performance. Murphy’s goal moving forward will be earn an invite to the NBA predraft camp in Chicago from May 15-19.

Murphy and senior teammates Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario all graduated over the weekend. Murphy earned his degree and recreation, parks and tourism, while Boynton got his degree in sociology and Rosario got his degree in criminology.

Boynton and Rosario also will try to line up workouts before the NBA draft, but both are considered longer shots to get their names called on June 27. Boynton is working out in Las Vegas with Murphy, while Rosario has returned to his native New Jersey to prepare for the draft.

The Gators will play at Wisconsin to conclude a home-and-home series, and will play Kansas at the O’Connell Center on Dec. 10 as part of the initial SEC-Big 12 challenge next season.

In addition, according to CBSSports.com’s Jeff Goodman, Florida will face Memphis in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Sqaure Garden in New York City on Dec. 17.

Florida also will host Richmond and Florida State and play in a round-robin event that will include games against Middle Tennessee State, Arkansas Little-Rock, North Florida and Southern.

I’m told that the Gators are trying to line up another road game against a major conference opponent. In addition, the Gators could add a marquee opponent at the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise. It should add up to a non-conference schedule as challenging as 2012-13, which helped lift UF to a Southeastern Conference regular season title and No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Update: More dates and games were released by UF’s school website on Friday, including a game Dec. 2 at UConn, Nov. 25 at Jacksonville and Dec. 29 vs. Savannah State. Florida’s game against rival FSU will take place Nov. 29 at the O’Dome, the Friday night before the Saturday football game.

A Telecommunications major and two-time SEC scholar athlete of the year, Young writes a blog during the offseason. He’s active on Twitter (well, he did shut down his account to focus on the NCAA Tournament in March, but that’s understandable).

So Young was quick to come to the defense of ESPN NBA reporter/analyst Chris Broussard for his views on Jason Collins, an NBA center who announced his sexuality on Monday to become the first openly-gay athlete in major professional sports. Broussard, a devout Christian, called homosexuality a sin during an ESPN episode of “Outside the Lines”

“There was nothing Chris Broussard said that I did not disagree with,” Young tweeted. “I would be really upset if he gets punished.”

That sparked a debate on Twitter. A follower asked Young if he was OK with homosexuals playing professional sports: “Yes, of course”, Young responded.

Later, Young tweeted: “Just know we all have to answer to the man upstairs one day. I have no intentions to offend but know there is no condemnation if you accept.”

For background, Young is heavily involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Last summer, Young, teammate Will Yeguete and Florida football player Trey Burton were part of a missionary group that traveled to the Ivory Coast in West Africa, providing food and aid to needy citizens.

Basketball has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to diversity. There are more minorities in the front offices and coaching ranks of the NBA than any other major American professional sport. In the Southeastern Conference, more than half (eight) of the 14 men’s head basketball coaches this past season were minorities, more than any other BCS Conference.

But Young has a right to express his views on the topic. Debate and dissenting opinions, however popular or unpopular, are part of what makes America free. Young isn’t saying he wouldn’t accept a gay player on his team, just that he doesn’t agree with his lifestyle. To quote Voltaire: “I may not agree with what you say, but defend with my life your right to say it.”

I’m sure Joakim Noah would have a different take on the subject. But that’s another story for another day.

And Hurley said Monday he thinks Donovan could do the same for Rutgers transfer Eli Carter, if given the opportunity. Carter, who is mulling between Florida and Maryland, arrived in Gainesville on Sunday and visited the Florida campus on Monday.

“Billy could certainly tighten up his game,” Hurley said. “When you play for a losing team, there is a different approach when it comes to shot selection compared to when you are part of a team with more talent around you. You don’t have to take on that responsibility. Eli can do more by doing less (shooting).”

Like Rosario, Hurley coached Carter at St. Anthony’s, watching the 6-foot-2 guard grow into a player who averaged just eight points per game as a sophomore to a standout who signed a letter of intent to play at Rutgers out of high school.

“Billy would like coaching him,” said Hurley, who described Carter’s personality as quiet. “He was a late bloomer for us. He loves basketball. He was in the gym all the time.”

Carter averaged 14.9 points per game as a sophomore at Rutgers before his season ended in mid-February with a broken leg.

“I think you get someone who can put it on the floor,” Hurley said. “He can get his own shot. He can get to the basket. He draws a lot of contact. He’s a little bit of a streaky shooter, but he has range (out the 3-point line).”

Carter shot 32 percent from 3-point range as a sophomore after shooting 35.3 percent as a freshman. But Hurley thinks that Carter could be productive with better shot selection in Donovan’s ball-screen offense.

“He can turn the corner,” Hurley said. “He can get by people. I think with (Scottie) Wilbekin, Mike (Rosario) and (Kenny) Boynton, I don’t think any of those guys could create (offense) off the dribble like Eli.”

Hurley said he hasn’t seen Carter work out since the broken leg, but has talked with his father weekly since the injury.

“I know that the cast just came off,” Hurley said. “I don’t see it as something that would set him back.”

Update: According to CBS/WFAN’s Jon Rothstein, Carter has canceled his visit to Maryland.

Rutgers sophomore guard Eli Carter announced on his Twitter feed Friday that Florida and Maryland are his final two transfer choices. He will visit both campuses next week.

Florida’s advantage in landing Carter? The relationship between Carter and UF assistant coach Rashon Burno. Both Carter and Burno played at St. Anthony’s in Jersey City, N.J., under legendary coach Bob Hurley Sr. Burno personally reached out to Carter earlier this week to gauge his interest. Florida coach Billy Donovan vistied Carter earlier this week.

Another connection? Mike Rosario, a Rutgers transfer and former St. Anthony’s standout who enjoyed success in his final two seasons at UF. As a senior, Rosario averaged a team-high 12.5 points, helping lead the Gators to an SEC regular season title this past season.

The 6-foot-2 Carter scored a career-high 31 points against the Gators in an 85-83 double-overtime win. He averaged 14.9 points per game in his sophomore season that ended when he suffered a broken leg against DePaul in mid-February.

Here’s some video of Carter scoring 54 points in a summer league event. Granted, there’s not much defense being played, but it shows Carter’s ability to create his own offense, an element the Gators lacked last season.

Carter could apply for a waiver for the NCAA not to sit out this season due to the circumstances surrounding the firing of Rutgers coach Mike Rice. Otherwise, Carter would have to sit out next season due to NCAA transfer rules. Carter could use that time to continue to heal from his broken leg and learn UF’s intricate motion offense.

If Carter picks Florida, the Gators would reach their limit of 13 scholarships for 2013-14.

Update: Told from a source close to the program that Carter will be visiting the UF campus on Sunday.

Carter announced last week he was transferring in the wake of the firing of Rutgers coach Mike Rice.

Florida fans may remember that Carter scored a career-high 31 points as a freshman in Rutgers’ 85-83 double-overtime win over the Gators in December of 2011. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound guard averaged a team-high 14.9 points per game for the Scarlet Knights last season.

Carter’s AAU coach, Brian Coleman, told Zagoria that Florida assistant coach Rashon Burno has personally reached out to him to gauge Carter’s interest. But according to Coleman, there’s plenty of other schools interested, including Duke, Oregon State, Seton Hall, Cincinnati, Nebraska, Iowa State, Cincinnati, Xavier, Missouri, Buffalo, Marquette, Creighton and N.C. State.

Under NCAA rules, Carter would have to sit out next season before becoming eligible to play in 2014-15.

Update: Zagoria reported Monday night that Florida coach Billy Donovan will have an in-home visit with Carter on Tuesday. Donovan, of course, remembers Carter’s 31-point night against the Gators as well as anyone and is said to be high on the 6-foot-2 guard because of his ability to create his own shot.

Holmes County coach Poe White said he can’t divulge specifics of Walker’s academics due to student privacy issues.

“I can just tell you it’s been a work in progress and he’s making progress,” White said.

Rumblings have surfaced that the 6-foot-10 Walker, a McDonald’s All-American from Bonifay, may be in jeopardy of qualifying to play at UF as a freshman. Asked about Walker’s status last week, Florida coach Billy Donovan said:  “All those guys right now, you always worry about until they graduate, clearing house, all of those things. So you know until those guys finish their senior year of high school, we’re never going to ever know until they get actually qualified and cleared. I think in looking at our incoming freshmen, certainly they are in the right courses, taking the right classes and doing all of that stuff, but I think that stuff will end up playing itself out whenever he graduates.”

Walker and 6-foot-1 point guard Kasey Hill, another McDonald’s All-American, present the dynamic duo that compose UF’s 2013 class. It’s the first time since 2007 that Florida has landed two McDonald’s All Americans in the same freshman class (Nick Calathes, Jai Lucas).

Both Walker and Hill played over the weekend at the Jordan Brand Classic in Brooklyn. Hill finished with 12 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals, while Walker had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 1 blocked shot.

White said Walker has matured each season both on and off the court. Walker helped lead Holmes County to the Class A state title last June.

“He’s become more humble and respectful of his elders,” White said. “He can still be a little mischievous but he’s grown a lot in his four years here.”

Other notes:

– Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario had mixed results last week at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, an NBA predraft camp for college seniors. Boynton averaged 9.7 ppg in three games while finishing fifth in the tournament in assists (6.0 apg). Rosario averaged 8.3 ppg and shot just 28.2 percent (11-39) from the field. Florida senior forward Erik Murphy declined an invitation to the tournament and is expected to hire an agent this week.