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Florida basketball: Tyrese Samuel will prove to be vital to the Gators

By Will Thomas

Feb 11, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Seton Hall Pirates forward Tyrese Samuel (4) grabs a rebound against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Seton Hall Pirates forward Tyrese Samuel (4) grabs a rebound against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida basketball and Todd Golden added yet another valuable piece to their 2023-2024 team last night in the transfer portal.

Seton Hall veteran transfer Tyrese Samuel announced that he would be joining the Gators for his final collegiate season.

Golden and the Gators have been going hard for Samuel for the past few weeks and had him on campus for a visit this past weekend.

With Tyrese’s commitment, Florida has one of, if not the single best transfer portal class this offseason. He adds to EJ Jarvis, Micah Handlogten, Walter Clayton Jr, and now Samuel, with a few more guys still on the radar.

Samuel, standing at 6’10”-235, had the best year of his career this past season. He scored 11 points per game, grabbed 5.9 rebounds, and swiped 1.1 steals per game.

He shot 55% from the field but was a poor 26.7% from three-point range and 64.6% from the free throw line.

You can throw away any concerns about his shooting when he’s able to do something like this by the rim:

Landing Samuel adds even more size to an already huge Gators team with EJ Jarvis and Micah Handlogten down low. All this new size was needed with the departures of Colin Castleton and Jason Jitoboh.

With Samuel now on the roster, Golden has a decision to make. Should Tyrese of EJ Jarvis start at the 4 for the Gators?

That choice will come down to the style of play that Todd wants. Will he want to spread the floor with shooters and create space for the offense? If that’s the case, you start Jarvis and his 40.6% three-point rate.

Or, will Golden go with size and strength down low to run the paint? If that’s the decision, Tyrese Samuel will get the green light with his bigger frame.

Regardless, the addition of Samuel will prove to be a huge addition to the Gators. It gives them elite depth down low, and another big body in case someone gets into foul trouble.

Golden is putting on a clinic in the transfer portal, and I’m not sure he’s done yet.

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