The Florida Gators officially announced Monday that three high school basketball players – four-star guards Michael Frazier (Tampa, FL) and Braxton Ogbueze (Charlotte, NC) as well as three-star guard Dillon Graham (Orlando, FL) – have signed and submitted their National Letters of Intent to play for Florida next season.

“I’m excited about the guys that we’ve signed,” head coach Billy Donovan said before Monday’s team practice. “With losing Erving [Walker] being a senior, Braxton Ogbueze is a kid that’s as good as any point guard out there. We felt like we got a really good player with him. Frazier is a phenomenal three-point shooter and a guy that we’ve kept an eye on for a long, long time. Dillon Graham is another really talented perimeter player who has got the brains to shoot it, put it on the floor.

“We feel like we’ve addressed some needs. Obviously there’s a lot of kids that we’re still recruiting that haven’t signed yet that we’re still involved with, but I’m happy with the guys that have signed. I feel like they’re all going to be very good players for us.”

Though the Gators are in desperate need of young big men, Florida will likely have to replace at least two guards. Walker will have used up his collegiate eligibility and freshman G Bradley Beal could head to the NBA as he is already projected to be a lottery pick. Sophomore center Patric Young is another candidate to leave early, but he stated prior to his freshman season that he intended to stay in college for a few years.

The Gators were able to announce these additions to the program because the NCAA’s early signing period for basketball took place Nov. 9-16. The regular signing period is April 11-May 16, giving Florida approximately four months to recruit a frontcourt player if the team has enough space on its roster.

Donovan hopes to find one to add to the class and appeared to agree with the notion that frontcourt players should look at the Gators as a team with a great history of preparing forwards and centers for professional careers.

“Clearly we’ve had a lot of success with frontcourt players and certainly there’s a lot of them in the NBA that are doing very well. For a lot of guys, they can go to a lot of places. There are a lot of great programs out there, a lot of great coaches out there,” he said.

“It’s a lot more than just there’s NBA guys there at Florida. There is a lot that goes into a decision for a family. I try to trust and respect the fact that the decision has been made for them; whether they come here or go somewhere else is a part of a process. Unfortunately with this you’re told ‘no’ a lot more than you’re told ‘yes.’”

Tags: Bradley Beal, Braxton Ogbueze, Dillon Graham, Erving Walker, Michael Frazier, NBA, NCAA, Patric Young

Recently thought to be favoring the Florida Gators, four-star power forward Brice Johnson (Cordova, SC) surprised some Wednesday morning by committing to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2012.

Johnson, who visited Florida in early October and also had N.C. State and Clemson in his final four, is the No. 49 player nationally according to Rivals.

He is the second player in as many months to have the Gators in his final four but pass them over in order to play for another top program. Five-star point guard Kyle Anderson (Jersey City, NJ), picked UCLA over Florida in September.

The Gators already have three commitments for 2012 including four-stars PG Braxton Ogbueze (Charlotte, NC) and shooting guard Michael Frazier (Montverde, FL) as well as three-star SG Dillon Graham (Orlando, FL). Florida would like to add a frontcourt player before closing out the recruiting class.

Tags: Braxton Ogbueze, Brice Johnson, Dillon Graham, Kyle Anderson, Michael Frazier

1 » Four-star power forward Brice Johnson (Cordova, SC), told CBSSports.com on Tuesday that the Florida Gators have earned a spot in his top two. The No. 49 player in the country according to Rivals, Johnson is also considering N.C. State and plans to make a decision before the end of October. Florida already has three commitments in their 2012 recruiting class – four-star guards Michael Frazier (Montverde, FL) and Braxton Ogbueze (Charlotte, NC) and three-star G Dillon Graham (Orlando, FL).

2 » Gators head coach Billy Donovan confirmed while speaking at the Ocala Tipoff Club banquet on Monday that he is discussing a contract extension with Florida. He is about to begin his fifth year of a six-year, $21 million contract that expires after the 2012-13 season. “We’re in the process and trying to get some things finalized,” he said, according to The Gainesville Sun. “When that gets done I don’t know. But we’ve had several conversations about it.”

3 » In one other basketball note, the Sun reports that Donovan said redshirt junior transfer guard Mike Rosario has injured a disc in his back, which he does not believe will stop him from playing this year. “He did a really, really good job lifting and getting stronger and putting on good weight. I thought with the injury, he put on some bad weight that he probably needs to get rid of right now,” Donovan said. “I think this preseason has been up-and-down for him in terms of injuries and different things he’s had to deal with.”

4 » Auburn Tigers head coach Gene Chizik said Monday that Barrett Trotter will remain the team’s starting quarterback heading into Saturday night’s game against the Gators. Auburn has the 106th passing offense in the nation because Trotter has completed just 56 percent of his passes this season for nine touchdowns and six interceptions. The Tigers, however, have four receivers with double-digit receptions and Tortter is nearing 1,000 yards on the season.

Tags: Auburn Tigers, Billy Donovan, Braxton Ogbueze, Brice Johnson, Dillon Graham, Michael Frazier, Mike Rosario

Florida Gators head coach Billy Donovan is aware his team will likely lose at least two guards after this season and is continuing to bolster his 2012 recruiting class with shooters. The Gators learned Tuesday they have received their third 2012 commitment from three-star shooting guard Dillon Graham (Orlando, FL).

Graham, at 6’4” and 175 pounds, chose Florida over Central Florida, Florida State and Kansas but also had offers from Louisville, Maryland, Vanderbilt and other schools.

He took unofficial visits to UF, UCF and FSU in late August, according to Rivals, and decided that wearing orange and blue was the best move for him.

Graham averaged 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.2 steals per game last year and saw his recruitment pick up some steam over the summer.

The Gainesville Sun’s Kevin Brockway reports that Graham is considering walking on to the team in 2012 and beginning his scholarship in 2013.

Florida also has four-star point guard Braxton Ogbueze (Charlotte, NC) and four-star shooting guard Michael Frazier (Montverde, FL) committed for 2012.

OGGOA has reached out to Graham and will update this story shortly.

Tags: Billy Donovan, Braxton Ogbueze, Dillon Graham, Michael Frazier

1 » Not only will members of the Florida Gators basketball team have to get used to a new trio of assistants this season, those assistants also need to build chemistry and get to know each other. The Gainesville Sun’s Kevin Brockway, in Lake Buena Vista, FL for an AAU tournament, got a chance to catch up with them and see how things are going. “I feel very fortunate to be part of that staff,” assistant John Pelphrey said. “Those guys are tremendous, both Matt [McCall] and Norm [Roberts]. I just want to play my role to make us be the best we can be and help Billy [Donovan] be the best he can be.” The youngest of the bunch agreed. “It’s been terrific,” McCall added. “[They are] two guys that are hard not to get along with. Just great people, and terrific coaches too.” Roberts explained how the trio has been trying to build a bond. “We’ve done a lot of things with our families,” he said. “We’ve all gotten to know each other in that way, and then being on the road together, talking constantly about recruiting and those things.”

2 » Four-star 2012 shooting guard commit Michael Frazier (Tampa, FL) is as confident as ever in his decision to play for the Gators next year. Also speaking with Brockway, Frazier reiterated that he made the right decision making his pledge two years before he graduated. “My dad told me that I don’t need to waste other people’s time if I know where I want to go,” he said. “I didn’t want to do that because they could be recruiting other guys to help their program. So I just went ahead and committed early because I wanted to be a Gator.” The No. 82 player in the country according to Rivals, he has recently become close with fellow 2012 commit point guard Braxton Ogbueze (Charlotte, NC), the No. 57-ranked player. “I think we could be a great combo, him at the one, me at the two,” Frazier said. “He can really shoot it. It probably will take some pressure off of me, and we’ll be able to open each other up.”

3 » Just one day after setting a world record and winning his second gold at the World Swimming Championships in China, former Florida swimmer Ryan Lochte went on to win two more in the 200-meter backstroke and as the anchor for the United States’ 4×200-meter freestyle relay team. He has now won four medals during the event to go along with his world record time, which marks his third on the international stage.

4 » Just days after her Gators teammates won the 2011 World Cup of Softball as members of Team USA, sophomore shortstop Cheyenne Coyle was named to the 2011 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team. “Representing the USA has always been a dream of mine from a very young age,” Coyle said in an official release. “I am extremely grateful to have this opportunity to represent my country on and off the field. I look forward to being able to compete with and against some of the best young softball players from all over the world.”

Tags: Billy Donovan, Braxton Ogbueze, Cheyenne Coyle, John Pelphrey, Matt McCall, Michael Frazier, Norm Roberts, Ryan Lochte, softball, swimming, USA

Florida Gators basketball’s 2012 recruiting class doubled in size Wednesday as four-star point guard Braxton Ogbueze (Charlotte, NC) committed to head coach Billy Donovan.

Joining four-star shooting guard Michael Frazier (Tampa, FL), Ogbueze is Donovan’s second backcourt commitment for the 2012 cycle and the University of Florida’s highest-ranked point guard recruit since former five-star Nick Calathes. He is listed as the No. 7 player at his position by Scout and the No. 9 point guard in his class by Rivals.

“When I arrived on campus I was impressed with all the coaches, players and the beautiful campus,” Ogbueze told ESPN about his decision. “I want to learn my position from Coach Donovan, who has had great success with perimeter players and is a proven winner. Winning back-to-back national championships means a lot.”

Always holding the school in high acclaim, Ogbueze decided to attend Florida over offers from Oklahoma, Baylor, Tennessee, Wake Forest and South Carolina. Assistant coach Rob Lanier was heavily involved in his recruitment.

“Braxton Ogbueze approaches everything with excellence in mind,” his high school head coach Sean Wiseman told ESPN. “From the court to the classroom as well as his character, he tries to be the best at what he does. That’s what makes him special.”

The Gators already have five-star SG Brad Beal (St. Louis, MO) and three-star forward Walter Pitchford (East Lansing, MI) on board as members of their 2011 signing class.

Scout.com first reported Ogbueze’s decision.

Photo Credit: NY2LA

Tags: Billy Donovan, Brad Beal, Braxton Ogbueze, Michael Frazier, Nick Calathes, Rob Lanier, University of Florida, Walter Pitchford

1 » Participating in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center-hosted Gator Holiday Classic, Florida Gators women’s basketball (10-3) defeated the Alabama State Hornets (2-7) and Robert Morris Colonials (4-6) in consecutive days to capture the tournament title. Florida’s freshman guard Brittany Shine was voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Performer after accounting for 47 points and 10 assists in a two-game span. Also honored after the event was freshman G Jattera Bonds, who scored 16 points and notched 12 assists to earn a spot on the All-Tournament Team. The Gators dominated the Hornets 95-38 on Monday and took it to the Colonials 70-50 on Tuesday.

3 » With Florida basketball struggling already this season, there is plenty of anticipation from fans to see 2011 five-star shooting guard Brad Beal (St. Louis, MO) burst on the scene next season. While Beal is expected to be the next great player to step foot in the O’Connell Center, 2012 four-star SG Michael Frazier (Tampa, FL) – also a Gators commitment – is making a name for himself during his junior season. Frazier posted 45 points in the Bright House Networks Tournament Championship game on Tuesday, leading his team to a 71-69 victory while earning MVP honors. He scored 110 total points in three games in the tournament including 40 in the semifinal game.

Extra BIT » Former Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, currently in his first season as head coach of the Louisville Cardinals, led his team to victory in the 2010 Beef O’ Brady’s Bowl on Tuesday night in St. Petersburg, FL. Strong’s Cardinals defeated the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and head coach Larry Fedora, a former offensive coordinator of the Gators. Louisville’s victory marked the team’s seventh bowl game win since it started playing football in 1912 and capped an inaugural season in which Strong posted a 7-6 record. The Cardinals finished 4-8 in 2009.

Tags: Alabama State Hornets, All-Tournament Team, Beef O' Brady's Bowl, Brad Beal, Brittany Shine, Charlie Strong, Gator Holiday Classic, Jattera Bonds, Larry Fedora, Louisville Cardinals, Michael Frazier, MVP, O'Connell Center, Robert Morris Colonials, Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Offered a scholarship to the University of Florida by Florida Gators head basketball coach Billy Donovan just over a month ago, four-star 2012 shooting guard Michael Frazier (Tampa, FL) decided to commit to the team even though he is two years out from heading up to Gainesville, FL.

“I chose Florida because of Coach Donovan and the outstanding staff,” Frazier told ESPN. “Coach Donovan has a proven history of winning national championships and excels in player development. UF is an excellent academic school as well. It’s always been one of my favorite schools.”

Frazier, who boasted offers from 20 other schools ranging from Michigan to Harvard at the time his conversation with Donovan, has a 4.0 GPA and is considered to be both a bright student and extraordinary shooter.

“He’s the best shooter ever to come out of our program,” Florida Elite AAU coach Conrad Foss told The Gainesville Sun. “And with those perimeter skills he’s become much better at putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket. He’s becoming a complete player.”

Here is what ESPN has to say about Frazier’s abilities:

Frazier’s ability to shoot the ball makes him special because he has two of the greatest qualities a shooter can have: great self-confidence in his stroke and a short memory to focus on the next shot. He rarely misses open shots when his feet are set. He shoots over smaller defenders with ease and is a willing passer when he draws an extra defender. Frazier is also smart at moving without the ball and creating clean looks at the basket. Opponents must find him immediately in transition because he will spot up on the break and knock it down from beyond the arc. While he can knock it down from 3, his midrange game (15- to 18-foot jumpers) is most efficient. Defensively, he needs to be more committed and engaged as an on-ball defender, but Frazier and his coaches — H.B. Plant coach Mike Phillips and his Florida Elite U-17 USSSA coach, Conrad Foss — are committed to getting him ready for his first day of practice at Florida.

Tags: AAU, Billy Donovan, Conrad Foss, Florida Elite, Michael Frazier, University of Florida