Florida lands high graduate switch Blackshear

In probably the ultimate remaining large choice for the 2019-20 school basketball season, Virginia Tech graduate switch Kerry Blackshear Jr. has dedicated to Florida.

Blackshear, the No. 1 graduate switch in ESPN’s switch rankings, made the announcement on his Instagram account Wednesday night time, saying, “My subsequent chapter will start in Gainesville, Florida.”

Blackshear selected the Gators over Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas, in addition to a return to Virginia Tech. He has been the topic of a lot hypothesis over the previous a number of weeks, with every of his finalists showing to be the favourite at one level. Blackshear took visits to Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas, and in addition thought-about following former Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams to Texas A&M.

He entered his title into the switch portal in mid-April, but additionally submitted his title into the NBA draft. Initially anticipated to maintain his title within the draft, he withdrew hours earlier than the deadline in late Might.

A 6-foot-10 large man, Blackshear averaged 14.9 factors and seven.5 rebounds final season for Virginia Tech. He dominated down the stretch for the Hokies, notching 5 double-doubles of their remaining 10 video games and ending with 18 factors, 16 rebounds and 5 assists in Tech’s Candy 16 loss to Duke.

Blackshear can be instantly eligible as a graduate switch. He performed three seasons at Virginia Tech and took a medical redshirt for the 2016-17 season as a result of a leg harm.

Mike White already had a top-25-caliber staff in Gainesville, and Blackshear solidly positions Florida as a possible top-10 staff and the most important menace to Kentucky within the SEC. The Gators are bringing in a proficient recruiting class, led by McDonald’s All People Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann, in addition to top-50 large man Omar Payne. Guard Andrew Nembhard, who was chosen to the SEC’s all-freshman staff, is the highest returnee.