O'Donnell to walk on at FSU

Largo senior point guard Ben O'Donnell will join Florida State's basketball program as a preferred walk-on.

O'Donnell, a first-team Times All-County selection, had several Division I scholarship offers, including Tennessee Tech, William & Mary and East Tennessee State; but in his visiting process, he never really found the right fit.

The four-year starter considered attending USF and trying to walk on, but found FSU's exercise program - and basketball situation - better.

"I may not get into a game, but I'll get to practice with the guys - which will be a great experience," O'Donnell said. "There's a chance (I can play), but, I mean, they've got Toney Douglas."

And, in another year, FSU will also have fellow county standout Luke Loucks. The Clearwater point guard, a four-star recruit, recently orally committed to the Seminoles.

"Me and Luke are good friends, so it'll be fun," O'Donnell said.

LYTLE UPDATE: Largo senior center Charlie Lytle plans to visit Florida Southern, and could have a decision soon on where he intends to play next season. He's visited schools like Mercer and received offers from Nichols State. But it appears likely he'll go with a program like Florida Southern or a JC for a year before making the jump.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[Child of God]

I think Ben can make it. He reminds me of Steve Nash a player who understand the game enough to play big time ball. A lot time people get caught up with size and height when it is not always about that. The kid is a winner and winners dont come in just one size. I like the choice Ben. Just play balls to the wall.

He will do better than Luke

Why doesnt he go to NC state with his brother?

His brother transfered to UCF.

[JMO U KNO]

Benny Boy will do great up there. That kid has fun doing anything. he is the quickest son of a gun ive ever met. i enjoyed playin against him this year. i wouldnt be surprised if he gets a scholarship from coach hamilton after the next 2 seasons. good luck broski. dont hate on ben bc ben doesnt hate ne1.

[wooden otb]

ben is a great asset to any program,he may never play,but will have a positive effect on many more talented,less grounded players.....best of luck.....

[preston]

good player expect big things if he gets his chance to showcase his talents hamilton will see that o' donnell has wat it takes to lead the noles to a bright future but beware of the 6'6 loucks just a year behind him but doubt he will stay with FSU its only oral for loucks which means if something better come a shore he on the next boat outta leon country

Its hard to say hes really gotta work hard but no doubt this kid has some serious work ethic I think he can do it.

[Vinnie]

I have to agree with Wooden. Ben is a hard-working, blue-collar type. He'll make people around him better because he will more or less force them to step up.

Vinnie you are an idiot!
Ben will never touch the floor at FSU.

[Vinnie is an idiot.]

Hey Vinnie,
Ben is not like your mom. He won't get any action on the floor.

Luke will never touch the floor at FSU either. If he does he will get dunked on! He is too slow for ACC basketball.

[Sean]

I know for a fact Vinnie was a star high school football and basketball and baseball player back in the late 90s. He graduated in 00!

Vinnie should coach, he could take the Clearwater baseball team and make them winners! I am surprised he did not apply for the Dunedin or Countryside basketball openings.

I do not know what he does now, but man he was awesome! Vinnie keep your head up. Jesus loves you.

[Vinnie]

Sean | June 26, 2007 at 07:51 PM, You are incorrect.
I graduated in 1991. I was no star. I just worked hard. Injuries left me with no chance in football, and I became a coach 16 years ago. I started coaching basketball as well in 1995.

Just setting the record straight.

[Sean]

do you still coach now?

[Vinnie]

I still coach, but not at the high school. I moved to a new challenge, the S.Y.F.C. (youth football)

[wooden otb]

VINNIE'S POINT WAS NOT ABOUT BEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON THE FLOOR,SO WHO IS THE IDIOT,I OFTEN DISAGREE WITH VINNIE,BUT HIS POSTS ARE ALWAYS WELL THOUGHT OUT AND EXPLAINED AS TO WHY HE THINKS WHAT HE WROTE.HE NEVER CHALLENGES OR TALKS DOWN TO OTHERS,I DO NOT HAVE THE SAME SELF CONTROL BUT RESPECT VINNIE FOR THIS QUALITY.AS MUCH AS I HATE TO SAY IT,THESE QUALITIES ARE PRESENT IN MANY OF THE LARGO BASKETBALL PLAYERS AND MUST HAVE SOME CONNECTION TO THEIR PROGRAM.WITH THAT SAID,ILL STILL BE WAITING FOR CLEARWATER TO SWEEP THEM NEXT YEAR.

[Hickly P. Doucherton]

RRRRR
RRRR
RRRRRRR!
RRwooden don't use all caps, yelling hurrrrrts my earrrrrs
RRRRR

[Hickory Farm]

Wooden what is your thoughts on coit?
And do you think Price is a better coach then coit?

[wooden otb]

i think coach coit is a great practice coach ,good scouting and preps well for big games. i think price may be the better game coach,making changes in time to win games.both are very good for this level,controlling kids at this age and times ,coit does alot for his players that few hear about,helping scholl get a full ride d2 scholarship is a great example,only here for 2 years,not a lot of press,coit took it on himself to help a young man go to college that probably could not afford to go otherwise.he has also worked very hard with nickerson on his acl rehab and will probably continue on his 2nd surgery done today.these things show great charecter ,coit should get more respect than he does.

[Vinnie]

Thanks Wooden. Someone understood me.
And thanks for the compliment to Largo.
Coit knows his game. Anyone who says otherwise is not looking at him closely. I don't like his style, I like Price better. Price is a little more controlled in his demeanor. Both work hard for their players. Coit does try to get his boys a shot at the next level.
I may not like Coit, but I have to give the devil his due.
As for CT sweeping Largo, Not. It'll be a split. Beating CT in Jack's house is almost impossible. I've been in too many games where my boys lost by 1. That place has demons, and those demons are red and silver.

[Darshawn]

Its Crimson and Gray you dork.

[Truth]

Good points Vinnie, Coit is still an a-hole and is hated by everyone..including former players.
And remember it's the House that Jack WILSON built not coit.

[wooden otb]

hey joe.......any update on lytle,that kid should play somewhere.

[Joe Smith]

Wooden,

There could be another update later this week, hopefully by Friday....

Don't think it's gonna be Florida Southern. He was leaning toward Santa Fe the last time I spoke to him, but there's something that could come into the mix

He's had several D-I offers, it's just a matter of him making a decision.

I'll keep you posted.

JOE

[wooden otb]

thanks,santa fe would be a big mistake,that coach was at all the exposure camps telling kids whatever they wanted to hear,false hopes and a junior college education,thats what i got 30 years ago and somethings never change.i hope lytle waits for a d1 or d2 offer...private schools offering 35k a year free education.if he,s good enough to play in europe or here,it won,t matter where he played. if not,a good degree verses santa fe will make a big difference in getting a job...