Gators can bolster backcourt with Steele, Rosario

By Adam Silverstein
April 8, 2010

Wednesday, OGGOA reported that two young guards who could very well be available for the Florida Gators to procure in the near future. Each faced a roadblock to being officially courted by Florida, and both appear to be on the verge of clearing those issues.

After falling in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, the Gators inquired about the availability of 2010 three-star point guard recruit Jalen Steele (Knoxville, TN). Steele, who committed to the Auburn Tigers in September, was looking to get out of his letter of intent after the team fired head coach Jeff Lebo following the 2010 SEC Tournament.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel now reports that Auburn has released Steele from his National Letter of Intent, making him free to field other offers. Other teams interested (in addition to Florida) are UCLA, Cincinnati, Alabama, Georgia and Miami. Prior to committing to the Tigers, Steele also held offers from Marshall and Western Kentucky and was garnering interest from Southern California.

The Gators are also looking at potentially receiving a transfer from Rutgers. Sophomore G Mike Rosario, who was “considering” transferring from the Scarlet Knights if head coach Fred Hill was fired, has Florida as one of his top options. ESPN is reporting that Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti and Hill are currently negotiating a buyout.

“It sounds like [transferring is] what he wants to do,” Rosario’s family friend and old coach Rex Durso told ZagsBlog. “Florida, USC and Michigan State are places he’s looking at.”

It could very well be sooner than later that the Gators acquire pieces to add depth to a backcourt that just recently lost sophomore G Ray Shipman to transfer.

6 Comments

  1. JayV says:

    Will Rosario have to sit out a season per NCAA rules? Or is that somehow waived because of the coaching change..

  2. NJ says:

    Hello I am a student at Rutgers. Mike Rosario is a very talented player. He would help any team he plays for. However, the reason Mike Rosario wants to transfer is because he is unhappy with Fred Hill. He wants Fred Hill fired. So if (now its more of when) Fred Hill is fired it is likely Rosario will return to Rutgers.

  3. Rowdyreps says:

    I think there is a coaching rule clause? He may be able to play, as well as Steele

  4. Rowdyreps says:

    NJ, I live here as well. Unless you guys bring in a guy like Calipari, Rosario is outta nj. I don’t blame him, living in NJ the Rutgers BB program is bleak. They play in the big east so they would need a squad of kids like Kentucky had this year to be good.

    Mike has a good relationship with Billy as well. I would bet he comes to Florida, and I bet it happenes soon.
    Go Gators

  5. Joe says:

    Oh goody a couple of 3 star guys that can sit on the bench with Tishman and that this coaching staff won’t develop either. Just a few months ago we had Knight “on the way” and Rivers “committed”. Now were back to taking other schools cast offs. Hey Billy, enjoy your “Woody” (award).

  6. npgator says:

    Hey Joe – why don’t you troll elswhere since nobody cares for your negative opinion. By the way – good information Adam.

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