Florida basketball lands impact transfer Anthony Duruji for 2020-21 season

Basketball

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Image Credit: Tim Casey/UAA

Florida Gators head coach Mike White has once again gone back to his old stomping grounds for an impact transfer as sophomore forward Anthony Duruji announced Monday that he will leave Louisiana Tech to join Florida basketball. Duruji (6-foot-7, 215 pounds) started every game for the Bulldogs last season, averaging 12.2 points, but will not be eligible immediately for the Gators per NCAA rules.

“After careful consideration, much thought and prayer I’ve decided that I will continue my collegiate career at the University of Florida under Coach White and his staff!! #GoGators,” Duruji tweeted.

With Florida having a bevy of open scholarships following graduations and transfers of its own, it can afford to use one of those open spots on a player who will not be eligible to suit up until 2020-21. In fact, despite the recent commitments added to the Class of 2019, the Gators still have one open scholarship remaining. Duruji was one of the top transfers available this offseason.

Duruji, who visited UF over the weekend before making his decision, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining when he enrolls. The athletic and sizable wing will be a nice complement to the team, though it remains to be seen whom his teammates are in tow seasons as the Gators have added a star-studded 2019 recruiting class.

Florida lost three starters to graduation and three other scholarship players to transfer since the end of the 2018-19 season. Standout freshman point guard Andrew Nembhard announced that he has entered the 2019 NBA Draft pool for evaluation, though it is expected that he will return to the team.