Florida adds 2019 basketball commit who may be a sign of big things to come

By Adam Silverstein
September 13, 2018
Florida adds 2019 basketball commit who may be a sign of big things to come
Basketball

Image Credit: ESPN Images

It’s not often that an unranked, unrated preferred walk-on commitment represents more than an able body who may one day turn into a contributing player for a program, but the recent pledge of 2019 guard Alex Klatsky (Eatontown, NJ) could mean big things for the Florida Gators.

Klatsky (6-foot-3, 155 pounds) committed to the Gators on Tuesday as a walk-on, choosing to play for Florida while turning down scholarship offers from programs like Harvard. Though he did not release an official statement about his commitment, Klatsky said in subsequent interviews that attending his father’s alma mater is a “lifetime dream.” As far as his usage, that remains to be seen as he averaged just nine points, two rebounds and two assists as a starter for Ranney High School.

Perhaps more notable regarding Klatsky’s commitment is what it could mean for Florida going forward. Klatsky just so happens to be teammates with five-star forward Scottie Lewis (Eatontown, NJ), the 11th-ranked player nationally.

Fresh off a visit to see the Gators, Lewis is expected to choose between Florida and Kentucky when the time comes, though other programs like Duke, Harvard, St. John’s and Villanova are also contending for his services. Some believe Lewis may make a decision as soon as next week following a trip to see the Wildcats.

The Gators have been trending heavily for Lewis with 94 percent of the 247Sports Crystal Ball, including a prediction from your’s truly, expecting him to commit to Florida.

UF already has five-star point guard Trey Mann (The Villages, FL), the No. 25 player in the country, committed for 2019. Should Florida add Lewis, it would be the first time in six recruiting cycles (2013) and just the third time this century (2001) that the program would have two five-star prospects in the same class.

Talk about a potential coup for head coach Mike White.

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