Florida basketball: It’s over as Blackshear chooses Gators
What was one of the most high-profile transfer watches in the country of late, is finally over as Florida basketball has picked up a big transfer.
It’s over … it’s finally over.
After all the back-and-forth. All the speculation. All the rumors … okay, maybe not that many rumors.
But, after it is all said and done, Virginia Tech center and graduate transfer-in-waiting Kerry Blackshear has decided it will be Florida next season.
Several media outlets confirmed late Wednesday that Blackshear has decided to join the Gators after one of the biggest sweepstakes for a graduate player in recent memory.
Virginia Tech forward Kerry Blackshear is transferring to Florida, the Gainesville Sun has confirmed.
— Robbie Andreu (@RobbieAndreu) June 27, 2019
The 6-foot-11 Orlando native will return home after averaging 14.9 points per game and 7.5 rebounds for the Hokies last season.
After graduating, Blackshear elected not to enter the NBA Draft where he likely would have been picked up in the early to middle rounds. Thus started the Blackshear lottery.
In the week or so since deciding to not go to the NBA, Blackshear already visited Florida basketball and Arkansas. He also had visits planned with Tennessee and Kentucky.
However, it was suggested that after just a few visits, Blackshear had grown weary of the recruiting process and was ready to make a decision.
With the addition of Blackshear, the Gators look awfully formidable entering the 2019-20 season.
Consider the Gators are keeping one of the best point guards in the country in Andrew Nembhard. Then you have the likes of Tre Mann, Keyontae Johnson, Scottie Lewis and Noah Locke.
Blackshear has the opportunity to be a leader on a strong team already being considered a contender for a conference title before the first game is even played … which is a bit premature if you ask me.
He also has some backup with Johnson, incoming freshman Omar Payne and transfer Anthony Duriji able to take some of the load off Blackshear, if the need arises.
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It seems that many an eye will be cast toward Gainesville this season to see just what Florida basketball can produce with this inside straight they have just been dealt.