Florida basketball: Gators sign Seton Hall big man Tyrese Samuel

Florida basketball secured its fourth addition from the transfer portal, signing 6-foot-10, 235-pound forward/center Tyrese Samuel on Monday.

Playing in the Big East, arguably the toughest conference in basketball last season, Samuel gives Florida a proven post scorer with Power Six experience. Samuel averaged 11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 0.8 blocks last season, scoring both with his back to basket and facing up. He posted eight career double-doubles at Seton Hill as his scoring and rebounding production increased every season.

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Samuel, a Montreal native, is a grad transfer with one year of eligibility remaining. He committed to Florida following a visit to campus this weekend.

 “His addition will solidify our front line for next season," Florida coach Todd Golden said. "He is a proven producer at the highest level in college, and we believe he has the ability to continue to improve. He’s a great athlete who has scored and rebounded very efficiently in the Big East."

The addition of Samuel continues to bolster a frontcourt that struggled to match up with the size of physicality of the SEC in head coach Todd Golden's first season. Samuel joins 7-1 center Micah Handlogten (Marshall) and 6-8 forward E.J. Jarvis (Yale), who both signed with the Gators out of the transfer portal earlier this month.

Florida also signed 6-2 guard Walter Clayton (Iona), a former Bartow High standout from Haines City who earned MAAC player of the year honors in 2022-23.

With the addition of Samuel, Florida will have 10 scholarship spots filled with three open spots remaining. The Gators hosted Class of 2023 6-4 combo guard Blue Cain, a four-star recruit from IMG Academy in Bradenton, on Monday.