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http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20141015/ARTICLES/141019710?tc=cr
" By Kevin Brockway
Staff writer
[h=5]Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 10:21 p.m.[/h] [h=5]Last Modified: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 10:21 p.m.[/h]
Florida coach Billy Donovan is concerned about his team's physicality heading into the 2014-15 season.
But that could change if somehow, some way USF transfer forward John Egbunu is eligible for the 2014-15 season. Donovan confirmed that Egbunu is petitioning for a waiver from the NCAA to play right away this season.
“Right now, if I had to guess, it's probably leaning more toward him having to sit out this year,†Donovan said. “We're going to exhaust all of our avenues and see where it leads us. I think he's going to be a very good player.â€
Egbunu looked every bit of his 6-foot-11, 266 pounds during media day interviews. He averaged 6.2 points and 7.4 rebounds at USF last season, making the American Athletic Conference all-freshman team.
“I'll just play and let whatever happens, happens,†Egbunu said. “I'll leave it up to God.â€
Growing up in Bauchi, Nigeria, Egbunu said he was first exposed to soccer before basketball. He's been playing organized basketball for four years. Egbunu played his junior high school season at Georgia Elite Christian School in McDonough, Ga., before moving on to Fort Walton Beach High School for his senior season.
“I've been playing basketball for such a short period of time, so me transferring to a program like this will only help me,†Egbunu said of his decision to transfer to UF. “Me being able to play for a Hall of Fame coach, it should only benefit me.â€
Carter progressing
Donovan said redshirt junior guard Eli Carter is moving “in a much much more positive direction than a year ago†but will be limited the first few practices of the season with an ankle injury.
“He had a bone bruise right now that shouldn't slow him too much,†Carter said.
A Rutgers transfer, Carter appeared in seven games for the Gators last season, averaging 0.4 points and 0.7 rebounds before shutting himself down for a medical redshirt season after not fully recovering from a broken leg he suffered the year before at Rutgers. In his sophomore season at Rutgers, Carter averaged 14.9 points per game before transferring to UF. Carter was not available at Florida media day.
Graham cleared for contact
Redshirt sophomore guard Dillon Graham, who had offseason hip injury, said he was cleared for physical contact a week ago and will begin practicing with the team on Friday.
“I feel so much better,†Graham said. “I'm so happy to have the chance to play basketball again and I'm just blessed and ready to get back after it.â€
Like Carter, the 6-foot-4 Graham sat out last season due to a medical redshirt.
“It kind of put me in a reality, I guess,†Graham said. “I was living in a fairytale world, to be honest. It kind of set me back and made me think how blessed I am and fortunate I am to be part of this program.â€
Billy D milestone
With 486 career wins, Donovan is closing in on 500 for his career. It's a milestone he could reach at the earliest in Florida's SEC opener Jan. 7 at South Carolina. Donovan is entering his 19th season coaching at Florida and 21st season coaching overall.
“Anytime you hit milestones like that, I think it's always a byproduct of the players and the assistant coaches,†Donovan said. “As a coach, you're only as good as the people around you. That goes to players and coaches. To me that just says starting 19 years here I've been fortunate to have a lot of good players and a lot of good assistants around me.â€
" By Kevin Brockway
Staff writer
[h=5]Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 10:21 p.m.[/h] [h=5]Last Modified: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 10:21 p.m.[/h]
Florida coach Billy Donovan is concerned about his team's physicality heading into the 2014-15 season.
But that could change if somehow, some way USF transfer forward John Egbunu is eligible for the 2014-15 season. Donovan confirmed that Egbunu is petitioning for a waiver from the NCAA to play right away this season.
“Right now, if I had to guess, it's probably leaning more toward him having to sit out this year,†Donovan said. “We're going to exhaust all of our avenues and see where it leads us. I think he's going to be a very good player.â€
Egbunu looked every bit of his 6-foot-11, 266 pounds during media day interviews. He averaged 6.2 points and 7.4 rebounds at USF last season, making the American Athletic Conference all-freshman team.
“I'll just play and let whatever happens, happens,†Egbunu said. “I'll leave it up to God.â€
Growing up in Bauchi, Nigeria, Egbunu said he was first exposed to soccer before basketball. He's been playing organized basketball for four years. Egbunu played his junior high school season at Georgia Elite Christian School in McDonough, Ga., before moving on to Fort Walton Beach High School for his senior season.
“I've been playing basketball for such a short period of time, so me transferring to a program like this will only help me,†Egbunu said of his decision to transfer to UF. “Me being able to play for a Hall of Fame coach, it should only benefit me.â€
Carter progressing
Donovan said redshirt junior guard Eli Carter is moving “in a much much more positive direction than a year ago†but will be limited the first few practices of the season with an ankle injury.
“He had a bone bruise right now that shouldn't slow him too much,†Carter said.
A Rutgers transfer, Carter appeared in seven games for the Gators last season, averaging 0.4 points and 0.7 rebounds before shutting himself down for a medical redshirt season after not fully recovering from a broken leg he suffered the year before at Rutgers. In his sophomore season at Rutgers, Carter averaged 14.9 points per game before transferring to UF. Carter was not available at Florida media day.
Graham cleared for contact
Redshirt sophomore guard Dillon Graham, who had offseason hip injury, said he was cleared for physical contact a week ago and will begin practicing with the team on Friday.
“I feel so much better,†Graham said. “I'm so happy to have the chance to play basketball again and I'm just blessed and ready to get back after it.â€
Like Carter, the 6-foot-4 Graham sat out last season due to a medical redshirt.
“It kind of put me in a reality, I guess,†Graham said. “I was living in a fairytale world, to be honest. It kind of set me back and made me think how blessed I am and fortunate I am to be part of this program.â€
Billy D milestone
With 486 career wins, Donovan is closing in on 500 for his career. It's a milestone he could reach at the earliest in Florida's SEC opener Jan. 7 at South Carolina. Donovan is entering his 19th season coaching at Florida and 21st season coaching overall.
“Anytime you hit milestones like that, I think it's always a byproduct of the players and the assistant coaches,†Donovan said. “As a coach, you're only as good as the people around you. That goes to players and coaches. To me that just says starting 19 years here I've been fortunate to have a lot of good players and a lot of good assistants around me.â€
