By Kenneth Cross
Florida head coach Todd Golden begins his second season with outstanding additions to the Gators’ roster as six transfers entered the program and all have different backgrounds and skills which will make them dynamic contributors.
After big-man Colin Castleton was out of the later part of the 2022-23 season with injury, the Gators slipped to 2-5 over the last seven games without Castleton which pushed their final record to 16-17, including a first-round NIT loss to UCF.
“We knew we needed to replace a lot of production as Colin left our program,” explained Golden. “I feel like we did a really good job of getting balance in the frontcourt and backcourt.”
Nine players left the program, either as transfers or as players, who had then used up their five years of eligibility.
Golden picked up the following transfers as reshaping the team’s reputation will be a prime factor. Interestingly, Yale transfer EJ Jarvis was going to be a high level player, but he stepped away from basketball at the beginning of October.
- Tyrese Samuel (Seton Hall) – His athleticism will allow him to be key in running the floor while his length will come into play on the defensive end as well as the offensive. He showed the three last year and if he can find that groove, the 6-10, 240-pound post will cause matchup problems for Florida’s opponents.
- Zyon Pullin (UC Riverside) – He shot 39.4 percent from three last season and was a tough matchup in the halfcourt with his ability to create off the dribble. Pullin was all-Big West as he played his best games against the higher level competition.
- Walter Clayton, Jr. (Iona) – Clayton was the MAAC Player of the Year for the Gaels last season as he had a style simpilar to Samuel, where he could make the three and then find ways to get to thre free throw line.
- Micah Handlogten (Marshall) – He had a great freshman season for the Thundering Herd last season as he was the Sun Belt Player of the Year. At 7-1, his defense around the basket will be a major key, going forward, as he averaged 2.8 blocked shots per game last season.
- Julian Rishwain (San Francisco) – Florida opponents will have matchup problems with Rishwain because, at 6-5, he shot around 36 percent a season ago. His shot percentage and height can post him at a 2 or a 3 on the perimeter or make him a 4 in a small ball line up where Florida would use 4 or 5 out.
“Those guys can help us in different ways,” explained Golden. “To get guys that have performed and been efficient and done well at their previous stops will really help us this coming year.”
Two key returnees for the Gators are Riley Kugel and Will Richard. Kugel, a potential first rounder in next year’s NBA Draft, can shoot from all over and he plays with lots of toughness and energy. Richard transferred from Belmont and was a key scorer (10.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg) for the Gators in starting 31 of the 33 games last season.
Kugel is a tough matchup because of his consistent three-point game and he knows when he can finish at the rim and passes up the three for the driving lane once he sees the opportunity.
“It’s one of the best leagues in America,” said Golden of the SEC. “Every night, you are going up against NBA players on the other side. If you don’t put your best foot forward, if you you’re not competitive, physical and ready to go, you are going to get popped.”
Golden proved his coaching ability at San Francisco in all facets as he and his staff showed their knowledge of players and how to fit together lineups based on the overall talent of his team and the matchups in the WCC and on the non-conference schedule.
That placed the Dons in the NCAA Tournament in 2021-22 as San Francisco was a participant for the first time in 25 years.