Florida basketball: 4-star forward commits to Florida Gators

A 4-star small forward from Chattanooga, Tennessee has announced his commitment to Florida basketball.

Despite having three trips to other schools scheduled, Samson Ruzhentsev decided Florida basketball was the program he wanted to be with.

The 6-foot-6 small forward from Chattanooga, Tennessee announced his verbal commitment to coach Mike White and the Florida basketball program.

He told 247Sports, despite getting offers from 12 schools, it came down to Ole Miss and Florida.

"“It was a really hard choice for me,” Ruzhentsev said. “At first, before I visited Florida, my favorite was Ole Miss, but then after I visited I just felt like it was the place I wanted to be. I had a better connection with the players.”"

https://twitter.com/thesame_sam27/status/1180150599935053824

Nationally, Rivals.com has Ruzhentsev ranked No. 17 among all small forwards in the class of 2020 and No. 75 overall.

He took his official visit to Florida on Sept. 27 and had visits scheduled for Illinois, Stanford and Georgia Tech, but all but canceled those visits with his announcement Friday.

"“I love the coaching staff and I’m really comfortable around them,” Ruzhentsev said, to 247Sports. “It’s a big-time [sic] program. They have players that will be in the NBA next year. Their style of play, they play fast and four out on the perimeter. I think it fits me.”"

Ruzhentsev is a guard for Hamilton Heights High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Hawks were crowned National Association of Christian Athletes Division I national champions — the second consecutive season the Hawks have won the tournament held in Dayton, Tennessee.

Hamilton Heights beat their first two opponents by 25 or more points. They won the championship game 65-53 over Southwest Christian Academy.

While there were no stats available on Ruzhentsev, it is also important to note that he played for his native Russia in the FIBA U18 European Championships where he averaged 12.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, according to 247Sports.

It’s possible Ruzhentsev is groomed to work with guard Scottie Lewis.

Overall, this is a strong first verbal commitment to White and Florida basketball. Of course, it is just a verbal commitment, which could always be rescinded. However, Ruzhentsev is a strong No. 3 who is very athletic and will fit into the Florida basketball system nicely.

Florida basketball will open the season with an exhibition game against Lynn University at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 before opening with North Florida at 7 p.m. Nov. 5. Both games will be at the Stephen O’Connell Center.