Hoops Recruiting: The definitive 2009 list

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Now that the curtain has dropped on the 2008 season, it’s time to start focusing on the recruiting class of 2009 for Coach Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators. The Gators should have 13 on scholarship for the 2008-09 season and with only one senior (Walter Hodge), that would dictate just one signee. But, there always seems to be attrition of sorts so a transfer or someone leaving early for professional basketball will probably create at least a second scholarship for 2009 and possibly a third.

Erik Murphy, who is already committed to the Gators, is obviously Florida’s number one. The next 12 are players that the Gators are actively recruiting and then there is a list of three that are on the bubble. Their status could change with a big spring on the AAU circuit or with some improvement in the classroom.

1. ERIK MURPHY (6-11, 220, Southborough, MA St. Mark’s School): By the end of the summer, he could be considered a top 15 player. He’s got range on his shot, toughness on the inside even though he needs to gain weight and strength and he’s got a basketball IQ that is through the roof. He’s the son of former BC star Jay Murphy, who played in the NBA and Europe. He’s an exceptional passer and a natural power forward who can give good minutes in the low blocks. AAU TEAM: New England Playaz. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: None. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: COMMITTED.

2. DANIEL ORTON (6-10, 260, Oklahoma City, OK Bishop McGuinness): This kid is everything you want. He’s big, strong, coachable and very intelligent. He’s got a great looking transcript, too. He’s transformed from a fat boy into a strong, low post beast that makes a lot of space in the paint. He’s got really nice hands and a very soft shot. AAU TEAM: Athletes First. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Ohio State, Kansas, Kentucky, UConn, UCLA, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Texas. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: Right now you’d have to say it’s a 50-50 between the Gators and Ohio State. Watch what happens at Oklahoma State, however. Given the right coach coming into that situation, that could become an option. Lewis Preston is recruiting Orton and they have a tremendous relationship.

3. KENNY BOYNTON (6-2, 180, Plantation, FL American Heritage): He is a tremendous scorer and the question everyone asks is can he play the point? Danny Herz, his high school coach, says he can be a distributor with a scoring mentality. He has outstanding range on his jump shot and he’s very good at getting inside and getting the ball in the hole while drawing contact. Not the best defender you’ll see but far from the worst. AAU TEAM: Breakdown. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Duke, Texas, Memphis. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: If it’s strictly Kenny’s choice, I think he’s a Gator but I hear that there are others who will influence this one and that Duke is definitely the team to beat. For now. I wouldn’t be shocked if Memphis makes a big play for him and gets his attention.

4. DERRICK FAVORS (6-9, 220, Atlanta, GA South Atlanta): Favors might be the best post defender that is under seven feet tall in years. He has tremendous timing and is a tremendous off the ball shot blocker that dominates the paint. He is so good around the rim that he can get 15-20 points per game without even being part of the offense. He’s worked on a jump shot and it will be nice to see how that’s come along during the AAU season. AAU TEAM: Atlanta Celtics. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Clemson, Arkansas, Georgia, Memphis, Duke and NC State. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: He says good things about the Gators but it’s going to be very tough to land him. Clemson seemed to be the team to beat at one point but now he’s got Duke and Memphis on his mind. From a standpoint of style, he would be a great fit in the Memphis system.

5. DESHAWN PAINTER (6-9, 200, Chatham, VA Hargrave Military): He didn’t have a good high school season at Norfolk Booker T. Washington. In fact, you could say it was below expectations even though he averaged 14.4 points per game. But from what from what everybody saw of him on the AAU circuit last year, much more was expected. he’s still considered one of the best prospects in the country. He can run the floor and shoot and he’s got such long arms that he plays like a 7-footer. He’s a real eraser in the paint. You could compare him favorably with Jarvis Varnado of Mississippi State only he’s got better offensive skills at this stage than Varnado may have ever had. AAU TEAM: Boo Williams. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Louisville, Clemson, Virginia and Virginia Tech. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: If the Gators push hard, he would commit but I think he’s an option only if the Gators want to go big and can’t land Daniel Orton. I think he’s a good fit for Louisville where he’s being recruited by Walter McCarty. Seth Greenberg will make a big play for him at Virginia Tech.

6. LANCE STEPHENSON (6-5, 205, Brooklyn, NY Abraham Lincoln): Stephenson is a tremendous scorer who can get it done on the outside or the inside. He’s a tremendous finisher on the fast break and he can take over a game from the outside. He’s an athletic defender who understands how to play in space on the press. Even though he’s just 6-5, he is an excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive end. AAU TEAM: Juice All-Stars. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Duke, Georgetown, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: Might be better than anyone expects because of his close friendship with Erving Walker. Duke is going to put the big push to get him but the Blue Devils are loaded up with wings that can shoot. North Carolina and Kansas are very heavily involved.

7. MILTON JENNINGS (6-10, 210, Summerville, SC Pinewood Prep): He’s got a nice mid-range jumper from the wings on in and he’s not afraid to mix it up inside even though he doesn’t carry a lot of weight. He’s long and athletic, good at finishing on the break and a better off the ball defender than he is taking someone on straight up. AAU TEAM: Beach Ball Select. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: UCLA, Clemson and Georgetown. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: I think he wants to be a Gator but he may go ahead and commit somewhere else if he doesn’t think there’s going to be room for a second player in the 2009 class. He’s a natural fit as a high post and that’s what Erik Murphy plays as well as Chandler Parsons, Alex Tyus and Eloy Vargas. It might be a case of too many cooks for the kitchen.

8. NOEL JOHNSON (6-7, 190, Fayetteville, GA Fayette County): He’s the son of former New York playground legend and Wichita State star Lynbert “Cheese” Johnson, who a year in the NBA and several seasons playing overseason. He’s got a silky smooth jump shot and he’s exceptional at putting the ball on the deck and blowing by people with his long and very difficult to gauge stride. Not a great defender but he’s extremely coachable. He’s got long arms and big hands so he plays taller than 6-7. AAU TEAM: Atlanta Celtics. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Georgia Tech, Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama and Memphis. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: Consider this one under the category better than you might expect. Apparently there is a really good relationship between Billy Donovan and Noel’s dad. Noel likes Florida’s style of play and he would fit in extremely well with the players that Donovan already has coming in. I think Florida’s greatest competition will come from Memphis.

9. LORENZO BROWN (6-4, 180, Roswell, GA Centennial): He is a true high riser that finishes spectacularly on the break. He’s a streaky shooter that can take over a game when he’s hot. He’s got a tendency to throw up a shot and try to chase it down and stick it back in because he’s a fierce offensive rebounder. He’s enormously talented but a lot of folks wonder if he’s disciplined enough to play with any team that doesn’t want to run up and down the floor. AAU TEAM: Worldwide Renegades. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: NC State, Oregon, UConn, and UAB. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: Right now you would have to say that it’s NC State all the way. His mama is enamored with Sidney Lowe. And he’s from the Renegades AAU program, the same one that sent J.J. Hickson to NC State. Florida is the clear second choice.

10. DOMINIC CHEEK (6-6, 180, Jersey City, NJ St. Anthony’s): This is such a well-coached kid. Anywhere but St. Anthony’s and he would probably score 30 a game. He’s got a great stroke from the three-point line and he rarely takes a bad shot. He plays very good defense, which is what you expect from a kid coached by Bob Hurley. He’s also got good grades and that’s a real plus. AAU TEAM: Playaz. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: North Carolina, Ohio State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Pitt and Texas. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: He’s going to take an unofficial to Florida very soon but right now, smart money is on North Carolina. Roy Williams is recruiting him personally. Texas is pushing hard, too, and his interest in the Longhorns is growing steadily. He is a perfect fit in Florida’s system so don’t count the Gators out yet.

11. DURAND SCOTT (6-5, 175, New York, NY Rice): He plays for a great high school program and one of the better AAU programs in the country. The Gauchos win championships every year with undersized teams that press and play relentless defense. He’s a really good scorer around the rim, a bit streaky from the outside but he can get hot and kill you from the three-point line. If you want to press all over the court, this is a kid you want on your team. AAU TEAM: Gauchos. OTHER TEAMSTO WATCH: UConn, Pitt, Memphis, Rutgers and Xavier. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: I think the Gators are, at best, his third choice behind UConn and Pitt. His buddy Kemba Walker is at UConn and if he had to choose today, that’s where I would expect him to wind up. A lot could change over the summer. Florida is going to take a good long look at him.

12. RICHARD HOWELL (6-7 220, Marietta, GA Wheeler): He’s another of those long, athletic wings that Wheeler seems to bring off the assembly line every year. He doesn’t do anything spectacular but he does everything well. Averaged 17.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He’s overshadowed by Ari Stewart who makes highlight reel plays but while the Gators’ interest in Stewart has cooled, the interest in Howell has heightened and apparently it’s mutual. Howell is very unselfish and a fine passer. He’s a true wing that isn’t afraid to mix it up and play inside. He’s got the strong hands of a natural rebounder. AAU TEAM: Worldwide Renegades. OTHERS TO WATCH: Texas, Auburn, Michigan State, NC State and Virginia Tech. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: Texas and Michigan State seem to be his top two choices although NC State is very much in the running because of J.J. Hickson. If Florida showed him the love, I think he would be a Gator in a heartbeat.

13. TERRANCE SHANNON (6-7, 190, Forsyth, GA Mary Persons): A lot of folks who have seen him think he is going to be a shooting star on the AAU circuit this year. He’s got the skills to play outside but he plays inside at his high school. This summer with the Atlanta Celtics, he will be on the wing where he can show off a nice mid-range jumper and can use his length to be a tough perimeter defender. This is a high energy guy that seems to elevate the play of everyone around him. AAU TEAM: Atlanta Celtics. OTHERS TO WATCH: Xavier, Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, Texas and Kentucky. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: Florida’s got ground to make up but there is a good relationship with the UF coaching staff so if the Gators turn up the heat, they could be in really good shape. Georgia is making a real push but the two teams that have been working him hard from day one are Xavier, Auburn and Tennessee. He’s made unofficials to all three of those schools.

ON THE BUBBLE:

1. DONNOVAN KIRK (6-8, 220, Beverly Hills, MI Detroit Country Day): He’s a lot like Tyler Smith in that he does whatever the team needs to get a win. He’s a scorer some nights, a rebounder on others and he seems to always play decent defense. He needs to show some extended range on his jumper on the AAU circuit. He’s good from 12 feet in but needs to be able to go to about 15-17 feet to be effective at the next level. AAU TEAM: The Family. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State and Southern Cal. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: It is going to be hard to get him out of the Midwest but he still talks about the Gators. I think he’s got the kind of toughness that Tom Izzo likes at Michigan State and I think that’s where he ends up. Let’s see how interested the Gators get this summer and if he returns the interest.

2. KARRON JOHNSON (6-8, 215, Durham, NC Mt. Zion): He can post up and he can hit the mid-range jumper. He is a ferocious rebounder. He’s got all the skills you need on the court. Now let’s see if he can develop the skills he needs in the classroom to get in school. AAU TEAM: Richmond Squires; OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Kansas, LSU, Georgetown, Memphis and Maryland. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: None unless he suddenly develops as a student. I think he’s got prep school written all over him. Now, if he has a change of heart and can show the willingness to do the work, then Florida definitely has a chance.

3. DARRICK BROWN (6-4, 190, Orlando, FL University): The jury is out on Brown right now. He has to prove that he’s a two guard. He plays on the inside in high school. Everybody is waiting to see what happens with him on the AAU circuit this spring and summer. If he shows consistency hitting the jump shot and better ball handling skills, his stock will rise quickly. He’s a real high riser and seriously athletic. AAU TEAM: Nike Team Florida; OTHERS TO WATCH: Florida State, Miami, Ole Miss and Virginia Tech. FLORIDA’S CHANCES: This is one the Gators could probably get with an offer but he’s got to prove a lot before he’ll get one. Although FSU and Miami are working him hard, the one I would watch out for is Ole Miss.

OFF THE LIST: Ari Stewart (6-7, 190, Maretta, GA Wheeler); DaShonte Riley (6-11, 220, Beverly Hills, MI Detroit Country Day); Stephan Van Treese (6-9, 220, Indianapolis, IN Lawrence North); Keith Clanton (6-7, 210, Orlando, FL Orlando Christian).