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The Minister of Defense
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Painter pledges to Gator hoops team
By KEVIN BROCKWAY
Sun sports writer
Published: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, May 19, 2008 at 11:29 p.m.
DeShawn Painter got his commitment out of the way early.
As a result, the Florida frontcourt picture looks brighter for 2009-10.
Painter made an oral commitment to Florida following a weekend visit, adding another athletic big man to a program that lacked frontcourt depth this past season.
Painter, a 6-foot-9, 195-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., will attend Hargrave Military Academy next season, the same prep school that Florida sophomore center Marreese Speights and incoming UF transfer Vernon Macklin attended.
"He's an exciting player who rebounds and runs the floor well," said Hargrave Military Academy coach Kevin Keatts. "He's always liked Florida so I think it has a chance to be a good fit."
If Painter keeps his commitment, it appears Florida's frontcourt will be fully reloaded for the 2009-10 season. Macklin, a 6-foot-9 transfer from Georgetown, will be eligible to play in 2009-10 after sitting out next season due to Division I transfer rules. Florida also has a 2009 commitment from 6-11 forward Erik Murphy.
Incoming freshmen Kenny Kadji (6-9) and Eloy Vargas (6-9) would both be sophomores in 2009-10, provided they both stay with the program. That would potentially give Florida five versatile frontcourt players to mix and match and practice against each other during the course of the season.
"I think DeShawn's versatility will help him fit into (Florida coach Billy Donovan's) system," Keatts said. "I know that DeShawn developed a pretty good relationship with Rob Lanier, starting when Rob was an assistant at Virginia, and now it's carried over to Florida. So I think he knows what to expect."
Keatts said he doesn't consider Hargrave a pipeline to UF, even though Painter would represent the third future UF big man to come through his prep program.
"I think you are talking about three kids who all made separate decisions," Keatts said. "Marreese having a positive experience at Florida may have had some effect. It's nice to see them all go on to big programs and if they do well, it's nice to take the credit."
By KEVIN BROCKWAY
Sun sports writer
Published: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, May 19, 2008 at 11:29 p.m.
DeShawn Painter got his commitment out of the way early.
As a result, the Florida frontcourt picture looks brighter for 2009-10.
Painter made an oral commitment to Florida following a weekend visit, adding another athletic big man to a program that lacked frontcourt depth this past season.
Painter, a 6-foot-9, 195-pound forward from Norfolk, Va., will attend Hargrave Military Academy next season, the same prep school that Florida sophomore center Marreese Speights and incoming UF transfer Vernon Macklin attended.
"He's an exciting player who rebounds and runs the floor well," said Hargrave Military Academy coach Kevin Keatts. "He's always liked Florida so I think it has a chance to be a good fit."
If Painter keeps his commitment, it appears Florida's frontcourt will be fully reloaded for the 2009-10 season. Macklin, a 6-foot-9 transfer from Georgetown, will be eligible to play in 2009-10 after sitting out next season due to Division I transfer rules. Florida also has a 2009 commitment from 6-11 forward Erik Murphy.
Incoming freshmen Kenny Kadji (6-9) and Eloy Vargas (6-9) would both be sophomores in 2009-10, provided they both stay with the program. That would potentially give Florida five versatile frontcourt players to mix and match and practice against each other during the course of the season.
"I think DeShawn's versatility will help him fit into (Florida coach Billy Donovan's) system," Keatts said. "I know that DeShawn developed a pretty good relationship with Rob Lanier, starting when Rob was an assistant at Virginia, and now it's carried over to Florida. So I think he knows what to expect."
Keatts said he doesn't consider Hargrave a pipeline to UF, even though Painter would represent the third future UF big man to come through his prep program.
"I think you are talking about three kids who all made separate decisions," Keatts said. "Marreese having a positive experience at Florida may have had some effect. It's nice to see them all go on to big programs and if they do well, it's nice to take the credit."
