Florida basketball: Kowacie Reeves to enter transfer portal as Gators add LSU’s Alex Fudge

By OnlyGators.com Staff
April 14, 2022
Florida basketball: Kowacie Reeves to enter transfer portal as Gators add LSU’s Alex Fudge
Basketball

Image Credit: GatorsMBK / Twitter

The Florida Gators basketball roster is in the midst of a significant shakeup under new head coach Todd Golden with a key name committing to return to the program while two of the top transfers on the market have decided to don orange and blue. However, arguably the most important retention for the 2022-23 season is now at least in some danger of not being part of the team next year.

Freshman guard Kowacie Reeves is set to answer the transfer portal, according to 247Sports’ Travis Branaham, who further reports that returning to Florida will remain an option for the talented shot maker.

Reeves was a bright spot for the Gators in the postseason, averaging 16.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across those games. Though coaching changes do shake up rosters, particularly these days since the advent of the portal, Reeves was expected to remain with Florida despite the new staff stepping into town.

It should not be assumed that Reeves will depart Gainesville, Florida, as his decision to enter the portal may be a strategic move simply to explore options or get rerecruited by UF with hopes of earning some name, image and likeness incentives (as senior forward Colin Castleton did prior to deciding to stay with the Gators for a bonus season in 2022-23). Still, for fans, Reeves’ name being in the portal is not a comfortable development.

Reeves’ forthcoming portal entry somewhat overshadowed a recent commitment received by Golden from LSU F Alex Fudge, the No. 57 overall player in the Class of 2020. Fudge (6-foot-8, 175 pounds), a Jacksonville native, has decided to return to his home state after averaging 3.3 points and 3.2 boards in just 13.9 minutes per game for the Tigers last season.

He is the second quality transfer acquired by Golden this offseason as former Belmont guard Will Richard announced over the weekend that he will transfer to Florida. Richard averaged 12.1 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Bruins last season and was among the top transfers on the market.

With Castleton, Fudge and Richard in the fold, the Gators have a strong base to build upon next season. Even if Reeves returns, Florida will need to find a floor general to distribute the ball after senior point guard Tyree Appleby chose to enter the transfer portal without the expectation of a return. Also departing the program is senior F Anthony Duruji, who has decided to go pro, and junior F Tuongthach Gatkek.

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