Gator Basketball Basketball Offseason Thread: 7'7" Olivier Rioux, "World's Tallest Teenager", commits to Florida

CGgater

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E.J Jarvis- 6'8, 200 lbs- SF/PF/C- Jarvis will be a backup most likely. He averaged 11.3 pts and 5.5 reb, along with 1.5 BLKs at Yale last season. Super athletic. Probably for sure a backup at PF. Can rebound, dunk, block shots. Can score with his back to the basket, 1 on 1, pick and roll, and driving. Basically he is a more experienced way less out of control Fudge. What everyone thought Fudge could do. Will be tougher vs higher competition, but a very good option as a backup

Status- Projected Backup PF, huge upgrade to Fudge



Walter Clayton Jr- 6'2, 195- G- Should be a starting G. He averaged 16.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.2 assists, 43% 3pt%, 95% FT%. Clayton will be a lead guard. Whether as the point or a combo, the ball will be in his hands a lot. Big time scorer at all 3 levels. Amazing 3pt % and FT% was the best in the country...helped lead Pitino to the NCAAT. He has great body control and loves to drive and score inside against contact or draw fouls as well. Right now next to Kugel we could have 2 of the best guards in the SEC

Status- Projected Starting G, monumentally huge upgrade to Jones or Lofton. Clayton can score with the best guards in the country, vs UCONN in the NCAAT had 15 pts, 4 reb, 4 assists



Micah Handlogten- 7'1, 235 lbs- C- Handlogten should be the starting C and will look a lot like one Joakim Noah out there if all goes as planned. He averaged 7.6 pts, 9.8 reb, 2.3 BLKs. He can run the floor with the best of them and protect the rim. Not much in the way of post moves, but the size, rebounding, and defense could be NBA talent level. Does a lot of pick and roll and put backs because of his size. Can shoot the 3, but was basically like Castleton there as a freshman. I dont expect that to be a big part, but it might if he gets better. He won't put up Casleton's offensive numbers, but defensively and rebounding could be as good or better when paired with Samuel. Should be a highly efficient scorer

Status- Projected Starting C, downgrade to Castleton numbers wise most likley. But will play a specific role and at a high rate while being efficient



Tyrese Samuel- PF/C- 6'10, 235 lbs- Should be the starting PF. He averaged 11 pts, 5.9 reb, 0.8 BLKs at Seton Hall. His game has been evolving each year. Played mostly C this year and played well in the Big East. Can score inside, has a little mid range shot, lots of pick and rolls, put backs, and can shoot a few 3pts though again not good at all. He is kind of the AL Horford imo to Handlogten's Joakim Noah. Similar size difference. Complementing games and abilities defensively as a big. Samuel should be more athletic and be able to cover PF and wants to show his ability to do so.

Status- Projected Starting PF, again just insanely big improvement in inside scoring and rebounding



Current lineup would be

Clayton
Kugel
Richard
Samuel
Handlogten

Backups:
Aberdeen
Jarvis
Haugh
Condon
Aleks

3 or so top targets still to go could put us as an amazing team on paper


Great summary, Lee! More than I was asking for, didn't intend to cause you that much work, but I hope you had fun typing it up anyway. Definitely gives me a better sense of where we're at... sounds like we'll have more entertaining bball during the '23-'24 season.
 

Gatormac2112

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E.J Jarvis- 6'8, 200 lbs- SF/PF/C- Jarvis will be a backup most likely. He averaged 11.3 pts and 5.5 reb, along with 1.5 BLKs at Yale last season. Super athletic. Probably for sure a backup at PF. Can rebound, dunk, block shots. Can score with his back to the basket, 1 on 1, pick and roll, and driving. Basically he is a more experienced way less out of control Fudge. What everyone thought Fudge could do. Will be tougher vs higher competition, but a very good option as a backup

Status- Projected Backup PF, huge upgrade to Fudge



Walter Clayton Jr- 6'2, 195- G- Should be a starting G. He averaged 16.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.2 assists, 43% 3pt%, 95% FT%. Clayton will be a lead guard. Whether as the point or a combo, the ball will be in his hands a lot. Big time scorer at all 3 levels. Amazing 3pt % and FT% was the best in the country...helped lead Pitino to the NCAAT. He has great body control and loves to drive and score inside against contact or draw fouls as well. Right now next to Kugel we could have 2 of the best guards in the SEC

Status- Projected Starting G, monumentally huge upgrade to Jones or Lofton. Clayton can score with the best guards in the country, vs UCONN in the NCAAT had 15 pts, 4 reb, 4 assists



Micah Handlogten- 7'1, 235 lbs- C- Handlogten should be the starting C and will look a lot like one Joakim Noah out there if all goes as planned. He averaged 7.6 pts, 9.8 reb, 2.3 BLKs. He can run the floor with the best of them and protect the rim. Not much in the way of post moves, but the size, rebounding, and defense could be NBA talent level. Does a lot of pick and roll and put backs because of his size. Can shoot the 3, but was basically like Castleton there as a freshman. I dont expect that to be a big part, but it might if he gets better. He won't put up Casleton's offensive numbers, but defensively and rebounding could be as good or better when paired with Samuel. Should be a highly efficient scorer

Status- Projected Starting C, downgrade to Castleton numbers wise most likley. But will play a specific role and at a high rate while being efficient



Tyrese Samuel- PF/C- 6'10, 235 lbs- Should be the starting PF. He averaged 11 pts, 5.9 reb, 0.8 BLKs at Seton Hall. His game has been evolving each year. Played mostly C this year and played well in the Big East. Can score inside, has a little mid range shot, lots of pick and rolls, put backs, and can shoot a few 3pts though again not good at all. He is kind of the AL Horford imo to Handlogten's Joakim Noah. Similar size difference. Complementing games and abilities defensively as a big. Samuel should be more athletic and be able to cover PF and wants to show his ability to do so.

Status- Projected Starting PF, again just insanely big improvement in inside scoring and rebounding



Current lineup would be

Clayton
Kugel
Richard
Samuel
Handlogten

Backups:
Aberdeen
Jarvis
Haugh
Condon
Aleks

3 or so top targets still to go could put us as an amazing team on paper

I may actually have to start watching again it sounds like. I'm really hopeful that Golden is the answer....been missing being relevant all these years.
 

Silverback Gator

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#Metoo Mac. I skipped most of the last 2 seasons. I miss Gator BB. Bring it back, Golden.
Not a big follower, I admit. But I would like to hear from posters more in touch with the program and what these off season addition mean. Is our new roster a wait and see, likely somewhat better, or likely quite an improvement. That type of measure would be great to hear.
 

MidwestChomp

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Great pickups by Golden in the portal. Now, can he get these dudes to play as a team and get back to the big dance?
 

CGgater

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Not a big follower, I admit. But I would like to hear from posters more in touch with the program and what these off season addition mean. Is our new roster a wait and see, likely somewhat better, or likely quite an improvement. That type of measure would be great to hear.

Scroll up to post #278 from Lee4three. He answered your question because he can read your mind before you even think your thoughts.
 

stephenPE

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Im excited right now but im gonna research before the season to know who is playing when I watch. I guess we gotta get used to having new each year.
 

t-gator

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Im excited right now but im gonna research before the season to know who is playing when I watch. I guess we gotta get used to having new each year.
The good news is this staff is trying to bring in guys with multiple years of eligibility
 

stephenPE

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Thats what I liked about Castle. He hung in there for years. Now that I think about it this may even be better than starting with freshmen. Get me a few sophmores that are proven and then dont want to jump again after landing at UF. I like the idea of these Fla HS stars heading out witt stars in their eyes and then realizing. I need to go home (Florida). They taste reality and then they become gators........and Todd becomes the new Billy.
 

CGgater

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Thats what I liked about Castle. He hung in there for years. Now that I think about it this may even be better than starting with freshmen. Get me a few sophmores that are proven and then dont want to jump again after landing at UF. I like the idea of these Fla HS stars heading out witt stars in their eyes and then realizing. I need to go home (Florida). They taste reality and then they become gators........and Todd becomes the new Billy.
The portal is a good Plan B, but a strategy based on disappointment and change-of-plans isn't a good idea, IMHO. We've had good production from transfers, but we've also had several duds. I prefer CTG establish solid relationships with HS coaches and bring the top talent straight in from the beginning.
 

TLB

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The portal is a good Plan B, but a strategy based on disappointment and change-of-plans isn't a good idea, IMHO. We've had good production from transfers, but we've also had several duds. I prefer CTG establish solid relationships with HS coaches and bring the top talent straight in from the beginning.

Kinda agree, kinda disagree. Transfers at least give you an idea of what they can do at this level, they have seen the college world and realize what’s expected. On the other hand, how many HS stars disappoint? How many get to college and can’t adjust? The HS kids are more of a gamble, IMO. Not saying we don’t work on HS coaching connections and build some pipelines, but HS football and basketball are different. HS football powerhouses endure; whereas basketball catches a shooting star and rides him, less established evaluation on a kid out of HS basketball.

I’m traditional, I want in state basketball kids coming to us as well. I want to build a program that endures - unlike calipari with 1-and-done, I’d like to see us take younger players who have time to develop within the system and grow. But I accept, in todays world the portal cannot be ignored. I’m happier to see us taking proven underclassmen in the portal, they have years left and can allow a true freshman to join and grow.
 

CGgater

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Kinda agree, kinda disagree. Transfers at least give you an idea of what they can do at this level, they have seen the college world and realize what’s expected. On the other hand, how many HS stars disappoint? How many get to college and can’t adjust? The HS kids are more of a gamble, IMO. Not saying we don’t work on HS coaching connections and build some pipelines, but HS football and basketball are different. HS football powerhouses endure; whereas basketball catches a shooting star and rides him, less established evaluation on a kid out of HS basketball.

I’m traditional, I want in state basketball kids coming to us as well. I want to build a program that endures - unlike calipari with 1-and-done, I’d like to see us take younger players who have time to develop within the system and grow. But I accept, in todays world the portal cannot be ignored. I’m happier to see us taking proven underclassmen in the portal, they have years left and can allow a true freshman to join and grow.

Can’t disagree with any of your points, but if we don’t get a FL stud straight out of HS, there’s no guarantee that he will “come to his senses” and choose UF later. If a solid transfer is available, I wouldn’t suggest turning him away. Just suggesting that HS talent is a better foundation and the portal is best used to fill holes when necessary, or when a can’t-miss talent shows interest.
 

maheo30

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You guys are getting me excited about what Golden Boy is putting together. That said...

I will not get my hopes up!
I will not get my hopes up!
I will not get my hopes up!
I will not get my hopes up!
 

deuce

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I think the NCAA needs to increase the number of Scholarships by two. This would allow schools to use the portal while still having room for true Freshmen.

Or else have a separate classification for Portal Transfers.
 

t-gator

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Back Alley Gator

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If we get Perry, I'm a believer. Going to be a fun season.
phineas and ferb perry GIF
 

FireFoley

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Looks like we're visiting perry tonight. Probably to see where we stand. Sounds like kstate. I think perry would make this group special next year. I already think we can be really good but we have to atleast add a ball handler and possibly a wing if we don't land perry.
Whatever the chosen garb, does not look athletic enough to me to play in the SEC?

1682695344391.png
 

maheo30

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Rumor is a former UF basketball player will be transferring back to God’s team to finish out his career. No idea who though.
 

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