By adding German forward Aleks Szymczyk last week, Todd Golden and his staff have rounded out their first Florida Gators roster. The way it was constructed indicates a much different play style than hoops fans were accustomed to under Mike White. The addition of several secondary ball handlers and a whole slew of wings creates the look of a modern basketball team.
Exactly who will be donning the orange and blue for the opening minutes of the season, though? That’s a tricky question at some spots, but let’s take an early stab at figuring it out with a basketball season still a few months away.
PG Kyle Lofton
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Lofton was a well-sought-after transfer who is entering his final season of college eligibility. Based on those two facts alone, it’s tough not to imagine he wasn’t given some assurance of playing time as part of the recruiting pitch by Florida’s staff. He’ll do his part to earn the job too, bringing consistency and a well-rounded skill set.
SG Myreon Jones
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So vastly short of expectations was Jones’s season in 2021-22 that some had expected him to transfer back to the Big Ten, where he came from. I’m sure there are plenty of Gators fans who would rather see him on the second unit and among the starting five. However, coach Golden has gone out of his way on several occasions to compliment Jones’ability with the ball in his hand. If he starts the season cold, though, he’ll be overturned in a hurry.
SF Kowacie Reeves Jr.
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Reeves Jr. is a stone-cold shot maker who didn’t get the opportunity to shine until the very tail end of last season. When the team finally let him out of the dog house, he was an apex predator on the court. He has length, athleticism, and a shooting touch that combine for significant offensive potential. Don’t be surprised to see him lock in a starting job early and make a run at the NBA draft.
PF CJ Felder
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It’s really tough to parse out where the Gators are leaning at the power forward position, with two strong contenders in Felder and incoming transfer Alex Fudge. I’ll go with my personal preference, as Felder provides more on the defensive side of the ball and is likely to show better than he did last season now that he has…
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