One dilemma that Florida will face in the 2012-13 season will be replacing departed senior point guard Erving Walker.
While Walker had his up-and-down moments in big games, the 5-foot-8 guard still was Florida’s best ball-handler last season. He also left UF as the school’s all-time leader in assists (547).
The two leading candidates to replace Walker are junior Scottie Wilbekin and senior Kenny Boynton. While Wilbekin is a more natural fit at the point based on his skills and steady play, Boynton would give UF the scoring element at the point guard that Florida coach Billy Donovan covets.
“The three years he’s been here, he’s played some point,” Donovan said by phone from Colorado Springs, Colo., over the weekend. “I think we’re going to need him to play some point. I think Scottie is the next logical guy in line. We signed Braxton Ogbueze who is a freshman. Kenny is a senior, so I don’t think there’s any question that Kenny is going to have to play some extra point because I think that’s best for our team.”
For Boynton, a move to point would help his future stock as well. You don’t find too many 6-foot-2 shooting guards in the NBA, even those with Boynton’s college scoring ability. To have a chance to make an NBA roster, Boynton needs to show that he’s versatile enough to be a combo guard at the next level.
Donovan also said he’s pleased with the addition of South Carolina transfer forward Damontre Harris to the roster. Harris, who was second in the Southeastern Conference in blocked shots last season (2.3 bpg) won’t be eligible to play until the 2013-14 season.
“I feel comfortable with Damontre,” Donovan said. “I have a familiarity with him. South Carolina, playing them twice the last two years, I’ve seen him a lot on film. He’s familiar with our league.
“He’s got a year to sit out. I think it will be great for our frontcourt players that he’s here. I think he’ll be really good for our frontcourt players. Our frontcourt players will be good for him. More competition in practice, so I’m really, really excited about him. I think he can be a big help to us.”
Donovan is in Colorado Springs for the Team USA 18-under men’s basketball trials. He’s the head coach for the Team USA under 18s in the FIBA Americas championships in Sao Sebastiao do Paraiso, Brazil. The team leaves for Brazil on Tuesday.
