ESPN names Florida's Urban Klavzar a top international newcomer
Earlier this week, ESPN released their top-10 international newcomers for the 2024-25 men's basketball season.
2024-25 Basketball,,, all things considered...
- Thread starter instaGATOR
- Start date
PG Walter Clayton Jr 6-3 195 Sr
PG Denzel Aberdeen 6-5 190 Jr
PG Kajus Kublickas 6-2 180 So - Lithuania
PG Kevin Pazmino 6-4 195 So - xfer SFC
PG Urban Klavzar 6-1 195 Fr - Slovenia (20 years old)
(Urban may get some playing time but he's a ways down on the depth chart for now)
PG Bennett Andersen 6-2 190 Grad-Sr - WO
CG Alijah Martin 6-2 210 Grad-Sr - xfer FAU
SG Isaiah Brown 6-4 195 Fr
CG Cooper Josefsberg 6-4 195 So - WO - Scout Team
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Under the heading of 'Jus-Damn' goes this bad news....
University of South Florida head men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim passed away on Thursday. He was 43 years old.
Abdur-Rahim was undergoing a medical procedure at a Tampa-area hospital when he died due to complications from the procedure, the school announced.
He and Golden were friends since their days as Assistant coaches in the SEC (aTm & AU).
The Gator's first game to kick off the season is vs USF in Jacksonville on Nov. 4th.
PG Denzel Aberdeen 6-5 190 Jr
PG Kajus Kublickas 6-2 180 So - Lithuania
PG Kevin Pazmino 6-4 195 So - xfer SFC
PG Urban Klavzar 6-1 195 Fr - Slovenia (20 years old)
(Urban may get some playing time but he's a ways down on the depth chart for now)
PG Bennett Andersen 6-2 190 Grad-Sr - WO
CG Alijah Martin 6-2 210 Grad-Sr - xfer FAU
SG Isaiah Brown 6-4 195 Fr
CG Cooper Josefsberg 6-4 195 So - WO - Scout Team
==========
Under the heading of 'Jus-Damn' goes this bad news....
University of South Florida head men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim passed away on Thursday. He was 43 years old.
Abdur-Rahim was undergoing a medical procedure at a Tampa-area hospital when he died due to complications from the procedure, the school announced.
He and Golden were friends since their days as Assistant coaches in the SEC (aTm & AU).
The Gator's first game to kick off the season is vs USF in Jacksonville on Nov. 4th.
Sad indeed. I just bought my tickets for the UF-USF game in Jax.
For second-year Florida PF/C Alex Condon, the Gators' influx of players from overseas provided him with an ideal opportunity to being asserting himself as a leader in Gainesville as he prepares for a highly anticipated second season in Gainesville. "We've got a lot of freshman international guys, so me and Kajus have just put them in the best position to succeed." As he did nearly a year ago when he appeared in all 36 games for Florida and earned SEC All-Freshman honors.
https://247sports.com/college/flori...rs-gators-2024-2025-season-preview-238579613/
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Thomas Haugh's freshman season in Gainesville was an impactful one.
With the ability to play the three and four for the Gators depending on the rotation, SF/PF Haugh 6-9 216, a hybrid forward who considered reclassifying before arriving at UF ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, appeared in all 36 games for the Gators during his first year with a pair of starts, finishing the year 3.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and with the fourth-most blocks for the Gators despite averaging just under 15 minutes per night.
Along with 25 blocks in 2023-24, Haugh also tallied 11 steals.
Ahead of his sophomore season in Gainesville, Haugh set out to craft out a larger role for himself as Florida's first forward off the bench for a team intent on improving upon last season's 24-win finish. He's increased his physicality (205-->216), which has been evident throughout preseason camp, while his ball-handling and decision-making have gradually improved, too, allowing him to guard each position on the floor.
247sports.com
https://247sports.com/college/flori...rs-gators-2024-2025-season-preview-238579613/
==========
Thomas Haugh's freshman season in Gainesville was an impactful one.
With the ability to play the three and four for the Gators depending on the rotation, SF/PF Haugh 6-9 216, a hybrid forward who considered reclassifying before arriving at UF ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, appeared in all 36 games for the Gators during his first year with a pair of starts, finishing the year 3.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and with the fourth-most blocks for the Gators despite averaging just under 15 minutes per night.
Along with 25 blocks in 2023-24, Haugh also tallied 11 steals.
Ahead of his sophomore season in Gainesville, Haugh set out to craft out a larger role for himself as Florida's first forward off the bench for a team intent on improving upon last season's 24-win finish. He's increased his physicality (205-->216), which has been evident throughout preseason camp, while his ball-handling and decision-making have gradually improved, too, allowing him to guard each position on the floor.
Thomas Haugh eager to embrace any role for defensive-minded Gators in 2024-25 season
The sophomore hybrid forward is willing to take on whatever role he can to aid Florida's improvement in Todd Golden's third season in Gainesville
247sports.com
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Like everyone outside of the team, here's my latest WaG on the starters.
C Chinyelu - Condon, or maybe Mikic if he's progressed enough.
PF Condon - Alexis
SF Richard - Haugh
SG Martin - Brown
PG Clayton - Aberdeen
6th Man-A Aberdeen looks to be the 1st off the bench for the CG's.
6th Man-B Haugh looks to be the 1st off the bench for the bigs.
Keeping in mind that Aberdeen can also play SF and Haugh can also play PF/C.
If Condon goes from PF to C, then Alexis goes to PF.
If Richard goes from SF to SG, then Haugh goes to SF
The rotations are going to be in constant flux as the games go along it seems to me.
C Chinyelu - Condon, or maybe Mikic if he's progressed enough.
PF Condon - Alexis
SF Richard - Haugh
SG Martin - Brown
PG Clayton - Aberdeen
6th Man-A Aberdeen looks to be the 1st off the bench for the CG's.
6th Man-B Haugh looks to be the 1st off the bench for the bigs.
Keeping in mind that Aberdeen can also play SF and Haugh can also play PF/C.
If Condon goes from PF to C, then Alexis goes to PF.
If Richard goes from SF to SG, then Haugh goes to SF
The rotations are going to be in constant flux as the games go along it seems to me.
Martin dropped 32 points on 11-of-15 shooting, according to Swamp247.
He also added 4 rebounds and 2 assists over 27 minutes of play.
"He brings fire and energy to our practices and he brings a vocal leader to our practices.” -- TG
It’s still the preseason, which means it’s too early to make any definitive declarations on the team, but it’s safe to say that Martin’s impact is already being felt. He’s going to be a key piece of this 2024-25 roster.
Golden finally has the Gators trending in a good direction against a strong and relatively deep SEC. There’s no question that this program is currently below Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee in the SEC hierarchy, with programs like Arkansas and Kentucky certainly faring better than them in the recent past as well. This Florida program used to be one of the very best in the league but now sits a tier or two behind a number of programs.
'Just making the Big Dance and going one and done isn’t the end goal in Gainesville.'
bustingbrackets.com
He also added 4 rebounds and 2 assists over 27 minutes of play.
"He brings fire and energy to our practices and he brings a vocal leader to our practices.” -- TG
It’s still the preseason, which means it’s too early to make any definitive declarations on the team, but it’s safe to say that Martin’s impact is already being felt. He’s going to be a key piece of this 2024-25 roster.
Golden finally has the Gators trending in a good direction against a strong and relatively deep SEC. There’s no question that this program is currently below Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee in the SEC hierarchy, with programs like Arkansas and Kentucky certainly faring better than them in the recent past as well. This Florida program used to be one of the very best in the league but now sits a tier or two behind a number of programs.
'Just making the Big Dance and going one and done isn’t the end goal in Gainesville.'
Florida Basketball: 2024-25 season preview for the Gators
While the basketball program hasn’t been bad by any stretch, Florida certainly isn’t living in those glory days. A lot has happened since those national titles
As Nov 4th rapidly closes in. --- ESPN's Preseason Top 100 Players List:
24. PG/SG Walter Clayton Jr (scoring/defense) -- Aberdeen
93. SG/PG Alijah Martin (defense/scoring) -- Brown
That gives the #21 Gators a strong 1-2 back-court combo in the SEC.
SF/CG Will Richard -- with a host of young SF/CG talent behind him.
Along with solid talent and dept in the front court:
C/PF Condon & Chinyelu - both can play either spot.
Condon earned Fr All SEC last season.
Chinyelu in 1st 'Secret Scrimmage - 8 Pts, 10 Rbs, 4 Stls, 2 Blks, only 3 PF's.
No stats listed in the 2nd SS, but rumored that he hit a 3, and if that was the case, then the Gators might be getting more offensively from the transfer than they expected.
As to the rest of the frontcourt:
SF/PF Thomas Haugh - PF/SF Sam Alexis
Both had solid outings in the first scrimmage as well.
Haugh - 11 pts, 4 Rbs - Endless energy & Speed
Alexis - 8 Pts, 5 Rbs, 4 asts - 2023-24 Southern Conf. All Defense Team
Additionally, Alexis was one of only 4 players in the nation to average at least 10 pts, 9 rebs and 2 blks per game while shooting 55% or better from the floor in the 2023-24 season.
+ C/PF Viktor Mikic - C Olivier Rioux
Both still in the 'Developmental Stage' of their young careers, but could play if needed at some point....
24. PG/SG Walter Clayton Jr (scoring/defense) -- Aberdeen
93. SG/PG Alijah Martin (defense/scoring) -- Brown
That gives the #21 Gators a strong 1-2 back-court combo in the SEC.
SF/CG Will Richard -- with a host of young SF/CG talent behind him.
Along with solid talent and dept in the front court:
C/PF Condon & Chinyelu - both can play either spot.
Condon earned Fr All SEC last season.
Chinyelu in 1st 'Secret Scrimmage - 8 Pts, 10 Rbs, 4 Stls, 2 Blks, only 3 PF's.
No stats listed in the 2nd SS, but rumored that he hit a 3, and if that was the case, then the Gators might be getting more offensively from the transfer than they expected.
As to the rest of the frontcourt:
SF/PF Thomas Haugh - PF/SF Sam Alexis
Both had solid outings in the first scrimmage as well.
Haugh - 11 pts, 4 Rbs - Endless energy & Speed
Alexis - 8 Pts, 5 Rbs, 4 asts - 2023-24 Southern Conf. All Defense Team
Additionally, Alexis was one of only 4 players in the nation to average at least 10 pts, 9 rebs and 2 blks per game while shooting 55% or better from the floor in the 2023-24 season.
+ C/PF Viktor Mikic - C Olivier Rioux
Both still in the 'Developmental Stage' of their young careers, but could play if needed at some point....
At 7 feet, 9 inches, Olivier Rioux is the world's tallest teen and an intriguing basketball project
At 7 feet, 9 inches (2.4 meters), Rioux is the ultimate BMOC. The Florida freshman, a happy-go-lucky Canadian who owns a spot in the Guinness record book as the world’s tallest teenager, also will make basketball history when he plays for the 21st-ranked Gators this season. The cheerful guy...
www.yahoo.com
I just saw this article today. WOW. What a potential beast of a player. If I were his personal coach, I'd feed him creatine and bulk him up (legs), make him a one man in the paint enforcer. Never leave your feet on a fake pump. Just hold your ground and raise your hands, then turn and block out with a vengeance. Talk about a Windex Man. That's a game changer on defense. If he learns ball skills and a little hook shot, that's unblockable. What potential this boy has. How the hell did we get him, even if he is raw?Who is this kid?
At 7 feet, 9 inches, Olivier Rioux is the world's tallest teen and an intriguing basketball project
At 7 feet, 9 inches (2.4 meters), Rioux is the ultimate BMOC. The Florida freshman, a happy-go-lucky Canadian who owns a spot in the Guinness record book as the world’s tallest teenager, also will make basketball history when he plays for the 21st-ranked Gators this season. The cheerful guy...
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He played at IMG and is a preferred walk on. Are you serious? I can't wait to see how he develops.Who is this kid?At 7 feet, 9 inches, Olivier Rioux is the world's tallest teen and an intriguing basketball project
At 7 feet, 9 inches (2.4 meters), Rioux is the ultimate BMOC. The Florida freshman, a happy-go-lucky Canadian who owns a spot in the Guinness record book as the world’s tallest teenager, also will make basketball history when he plays for the 21st-ranked Gators this season. The cheerful guy...
Project player. Most likely won't see the floor this year unless we are up big or down big. unbelievable size, just doesn't move well...yet. Let's see if we can coach him up and get him ready for next season.Who is this kid?At 7 feet, 9 inches, Olivier Rioux is the world's tallest teen and an intriguing basketball project
At 7 feet, 9 inches (2.4 meters), Rioux is the ultimate BMOC. The Florida freshman, a happy-go-lucky Canadian who owns a spot in the Guinness record book as the world’s tallest teenager, also will make basketball history when he plays for the 21st-ranked Gators this season. The cheerful guy...
Where have you guys been for the last 6 months???
Good hands, doesn't fumble the ball much.
He said; "my best ability is passing the ball," so not a ball hog.
His time on the floor will depend as much on his coaches/coaching,
and the willingness of his teammates to use him well on the floor.
BTW - He can also make his foul shots.....
We'll just have to wait and see how it goes, but this young man is
a great positive for the team and the program, both on and off the floor.
Good hands, doesn't fumble the ball much.
He said; "my best ability is passing the ball," so not a ball hog.
His time on the floor will depend as much on his coaches/coaching,
and the willingness of his teammates to use him well on the floor.
BTW - He can also make his foul shots.....
We'll just have to wait and see how it goes, but this young man is
a great positive for the team and the program, both on and off the floor.
Not sure if the Ole Piss center, at 7'5", has any eligibility left, but he caused problems for our big 3 of Handlogten, Samuel and Condon. Rioux will cause just enough problems underneath defensively, just as the Ole Piss center did.
Anyone whose hands are above the rim standing flatfoot is certainly going to cause some problems.
Still a project player. Golden essentially said so himself. Said he is excited to get to this point next year and see how he's developed. If he is getting significant minutes this season, it means we are struggling.
Or there is a 3rd possibility that neither of you seem to be willing to consider....
>> That being that he's developing much faster than anyone thought or could have hoped for....
“He’s more than just a 7-9 guy,” Gators head coach Todd Golden told the AP on Tuesday, Oct. 29, ahead of Rioux's debut, which could happen on Monday, Nov. 4 during the team's face-off against the South Florida Bulls. “He’s had some really good moments in practice, super coachable and I’m excited for him to get to this point next year and kind of see where we’re at.”
According to the Gators, Rioux most recently played at IMG Academy in Florida and has been with Canada’s under-18 international squad since 2021, helping Team Canada win a bronze medal at both the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship and again at the 2023 Under-18 FIBA AmeriCup Championship.
So it's not like he's never played against solid competition before now, IMG and Canada's team.
That said, nobody expects him to be a starter, or even a primary backup this season, but I'd be mildly surprised if he doesn't at least get a few minutes here and there.
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On Wednesday, CBS Sports Senior Writer Matt Norlander released a ranking of the best team from each state for the upcoming season, and the Gators sit atop the leaderboard for the State of Florida. It wasn’t a hard decision for Norlander either. Some highlights of last season include wins over ranked Alabama, both during the regular season and in the conference tournament, and ranked Kentucky.
They’ll have plenty of opportunities to further establish themselves as a team to beat with 9 ranked teams on the schedule. Eight of those teams are on the SEC schedule, and then including an out-of-conference game with UNC.
2023-24 Season
Florida 24-12, 11-7 SEC, made the SEC-C Final, and then the NCAA Big Dance.
FSU 17-16, 10-10 ACC
scUM 15-17, 6-14 ACC
FAU made the Big Dance Final-4, but they've lost HC (former Mike White Assis) Dusty May to Mich, and their SG/PG Martin by xfer to UF.... They are busy building/rebuilding a team with a new HC.
We'll finally see who plays, how much, and who does what tonight vs USF.....
Gator CG-SF is both deep and experienced - 10 Players to fill 3 positions: PG-SG-SF
CG Walter Claryton Jr 6-3 195 Sr - 1,404 pts, 1st Team All SEC - 17.6 PPG
CG Alijah Martin 6-2 210 G-Sr - FAU xfer 1,476 pts - 2023 Final-4, 56 Stls, 13.1 PPG
SG/SF Will Richard 6-4 206 Sr- 36.6% 3's (121 3's with 1,143 Pts) 11.3 PPG
That's 3 Guards with over 1,000 career points scored each!
CG/SF Denzel Aberdeen 6-5 190 Jr - An up & comer that had 20 Pts while shooting 4-for-5 (80%) from 3's as the Gators came back from 18 Pts down to defeat Texas A&M in the 2024 SEC Tourney semifinals. 6th Man along with SF/PF Haugh.
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PG Kajus Kublikas 6-2 180 So - Lithuania national program - 9.1 PPG
In nine Fr appearances - 7 Pts, 4 Asts, 3 Rbs, 1 Stl.
PG Urban Klavzar 6-1 195 Fr - Slovenia national program - 8.9 PPG
PG Bennett Andersen 6-2 190 G-Sr - 3X UF Intramural Champion WO
CG/SF Cooper Josefsberg 6-4 195 So - 3A FL HS State Champ - WO
SG/SF Kevin Pazmino 6-4 195 So - SFC xfer-WO - 10.3 PPG
SG/SF Isaiah Brown 6-4 195 Fr - HS OCP State Champ Runner-up - 18.6 PPG
Also, in the 2024 Slam Dunk Nationalist he took 2nd Place.
Gator CG-SF is both deep and experienced - 10 Players to fill 3 positions: PG-SG-SF
CG Walter Claryton Jr 6-3 195 Sr - 1,404 pts, 1st Team All SEC - 17.6 PPG
CG Alijah Martin 6-2 210 G-Sr - FAU xfer 1,476 pts - 2023 Final-4, 56 Stls, 13.1 PPG
SG/SF Will Richard 6-4 206 Sr- 36.6% 3's (121 3's with 1,143 Pts) 11.3 PPG
That's 3 Guards with over 1,000 career points scored each!
CG/SF Denzel Aberdeen 6-5 190 Jr - An up & comer that had 20 Pts while shooting 4-for-5 (80%) from 3's as the Gators came back from 18 Pts down to defeat Texas A&M in the 2024 SEC Tourney semifinals. 6th Man along with SF/PF Haugh.
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PG Kajus Kublikas 6-2 180 So - Lithuania national program - 9.1 PPG
In nine Fr appearances - 7 Pts, 4 Asts, 3 Rbs, 1 Stl.
PG Urban Klavzar 6-1 195 Fr - Slovenia national program - 8.9 PPG
PG Bennett Andersen 6-2 190 G-Sr - 3X UF Intramural Champion WO
CG/SF Cooper Josefsberg 6-4 195 So - 3A FL HS State Champ - WO
SG/SF Kevin Pazmino 6-4 195 So - SFC xfer-WO - 10.3 PPG
SG/SF Isaiah Brown 6-4 195 Fr - HS OCP State Champ Runner-up - 18.6 PPG
Also, in the 2024 Slam Dunk Nationalist he took 2nd Place.
That's exactly the kind of quality on topic post expected from any of the 3 a-dweeb-bo's..
So well done boyz... 😉
Lander's Layup Line: An Optimist's View for Gators' '24-'25 Campaign
The Florida Gators men's basketball's upcoming season is shaping up to be Todd Golden's best.
Lander's Layup Line: An Optimist's View for Gators' '24-'25 Campaign
The Florida Gators men's basketball's upcoming season is shaping up to be Todd Golden's best.
So I guess we can count on you
watching tonight's game on replay the
next morning as it's past your Joe Biden scheduled bedtime.
I thought you still miss Mike White.Lander's Layup Line: An Optimist's View for Gators' '24-'25 Campaign
The Florida Gators men's basketball's upcoming season is shaping up to be Todd Golden's best.
Lander's Layup Line: An Optimist's View for Gators' '24-'25 Campaign
The Florida Gators men's basketball's upcoming season is shaping up to be Todd Golden's best.www.si.com
Pretty impressive effort so far. Playing tough defense and everybody getting to the basket. Newcomers look to be as advertised.
Had great seats. USF, as expected, played with tremendous energy and emotion the first 10-15 minutes. Actually, got out to a 13-point lead. They have some really good players. We settled down, stopped jacking up 3, and got to the rim in the 2nd half. Was surprised we didn't go deeper into our bench. Need to step up our 3 point defense. USF was 14 for 27 from beyond the arc. Several were wide open looks.
They look pretty good, didn't even play or shoot well at all and still scored 98.. Martin is gonna be like Casey Prather type, except he can shoot too.. that can carry them and do the dirty work every game.. He quietly had 13 but had like 6 boards, 3 assists and 4 steals.. Goldens got a good squad, good depth and big boys finally. We shot horrific from 3 and still just grinded them to death with the length in the 2nd half. USF hit everything and still ended up getting pounded. Promising after just one game, you can see they got the squad.
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