Florida signs SEC's best basketball class

With one day remaining in the early signing period, the Gators wrapped up their official signing class with five letters of intent Tuesday afternoon.

According to Rivals.com, it's the No. 1 class in the SEC and the No. 5 class in the nation.

The Gators received letters of intent from power forwards Eloy Vargas (American Heritage HS/Plantation, Fla./Dominican Republic), and Allan Chaney (New London HS/New London, CT), center Kenny Kadji (IMG Academy and Pendleton School/Bradenton, Fla./Cameroon), guard Ray Shipman
(Monsignor Pace HS/Miramar, Fla.) and point guard Erving Walker (Christ The King HS/Brooklyn, NY).

“We’re very excited about this year’s recruiting class,” Florida coach Billy Donovan said. “We felt like we had to address some areas with the early departures we had last year, and were able to do that with some size in the frontcourt, while adding quality players to the backcourt and perimeter as well.”

Vargas is a 6-10, 210-lb., native of the Dominican Republic who averaged 21.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game for American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla., last year. Chaney, who stands 6-8, 220lbs., averaged 25.0 points and 14.0 rebounds for New London High School during his junior year.

Kadji, already 6-10 and 240 lbs., is a native of Cameroon, but has been in Bradenton, Fla., playing at the IMG Academy and the Pendleton School and played on the AAU level for the Florida Rams, the same team that produced current Gator Marreese Speights.

Another product of the Florida Rams, Ray Shipman will join the Gator backcourt next season. The 6-3 shooting guard was the MVP for Monsignor Pace’s 4A state championship team a year ago.

Walker was named to the New York Daily News All-City first team and to the New York Post All-CHSAA first team a year ago. The 5-8 point guard averaged 17.5 points, 5.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game for tradition-rich Christ The King.

Comments

[tj]

If you have a full roster and you have no seniors then how do you sign 5 new players?

[Gator Fan]

tj - The current squad is comprised of just nine scholarship players and three walk-ons.

[jeff]

Better go get some more players because the ones you have been bragging about aren't very good. FSU owns Florida with wins the last two seasons.

"FSU owns Florida with wins the last two seasons." -
What does that say about SOW's underachieving coach and program? Hey 'Noles, enjoy your trip to the NIT again.

Go Gators!! Back 2 Back National Champions 2006 - 2007