Florida Basketball sets sights on ex-Michigan commit

Florida Basketball looks to add another top recruit to their star-studded 2019 class

The college basketball offseason is already in full swing, and the coaching carousel has already seen several top tier head coaches leaving their program to pursue new opportunities, leaving big shoes to fill at some very prestigious schools. One of those coaches is former Michigan head coach, John Beilein. On May 13, Beilein left the Wolverines to become the new head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

As a result of this departure, Michigan’s top recruit, 4-star small forward, Jalen Wilson, has requested to reopen his recruitment. The Texas native had been committed to the Wolverines for almost a year but cited a “sudden head coaching change” as the main reason for him requesting the move. Wilson announced that the schools he is still interested in are Kansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, and Florida. He also stated that Michigan is in consideration and has not ruled out recommitting to them.

Players requesting transfers or an open recruitment after a coaching change is nothing out of the ordinary, and this time it presents Coach Mike White the opportunity to add to an already loaded recruiting class that currently ranks seventh in 247sport’s 2019 team rankings. One of the main reasons for Wilson considering Florida is his relationship with the Gators’ pair of 5-star recruits, Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann.

Wilson is currently ranked the eighth-best prospect coming out of Texas, due to his ability to lock down opposing wings with his size, as well as his ability to torch teams from the perimeter. In his senior season at Guyer High School, Wilson shot 39 percent from deep, something that would be very beneficial for a Gators team that heavily emphasizes the three ball. The 6 foot 8 wing also racked up 118 steals in his four years of high school, meaning Wilson would be able to contribute immediately for the Gators on both ends of the floor.

Wilson has already scheduled official visits with Kansas and North Carolina, which puts the pressure on Coach White and his staff to work extra hard and make an impression on Wilson if they hope to stay in contention for the Texas product. There has not been a date announced for Wilson’s decision yet. In the meantime, Gator fans can see how Wilson reacts to his visits to North Carolina and Kansas and can expect a decision date not too long after he completes the visits.

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