Scottie Wilbekin enrolled at Florida as a 17-year-old because the Gators were thin in the backcourt.
But next season, the 6-foot-2 Wilbekin could find minutes harder to come by. Even though Wilbekin emerged as a defensive specialist and was invited to the Team USA Under-19 tryouts, he’ll be part of a Florida team with five guards capable of starting at most Division I programs throughout the country.
It’s a positive dilemma for Florida coach Billy Donovan, who has been trying to rebuild his backcourt depth since Nick Calathes unexpectedly left as a sophomore for Greece at the end of the 2008-09 season.
UF’s starting backcourt of Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton return next season. But added to the mix in 2011-12 will be Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario and incoming freshman Brad Beal. Beal, a McDonald’s All-American, is a soft-shooting 6-foot-3 shooting guard ranked third overall in the country in 2011. Rosario, meanwhile, was sixth in the Big East in scoring at 16.1 ppg in his last full season at Rutgers.
“There are going to be some great guards here next year,” Wilbekin said. “We’re all going to come in here and work hard. Whatever Coach D wants to do, I’m all for it.”
Added Florida teammate Patric Young: “We have so many guards with this team, it’s possible that we could have one of the best backcourts in the (Southeastern Conference) or maybe in the country possibly. We have fast guys.
“We’re going to be a really good pressing team possibly. We’re going run the floor a lot more, maybe go four guards, one big man for something like that. But it’s up to Coach Donovan, whatever he sees works best for this team. It’s going to be completely different from the team last year, I’ll tell you that. Maybe a lot more 3s, a lot more shooting.”
Rosario practiced with the Gators last season, but was unable to play due to NCAA Division I transfer rules. Asked what to expect from Rosario, Wilbekin responded: “I can tell you to expect a lot of 3s. He’s a great shooter. He might be the best pure shooter on our team and he’s a scorer, too. He’s efficient.”
Wilbekin recently returned from a two-week stint in Macedonia and Kosovo playing for Athletes in Action.
“I loved it over there,” Wilbekin said. “The games were a little different with the way the refs called it and everything, but I got used to it.”
The Gainesville native said the biggest adjustment to playing under FIBA rules were traveling violations, “They called traveling a little bit more there than over here,” Wilbekin said. “I can’t explain it but I had to get used to it. You have to dribble the ball more before trying to do moves.”
But getting accustomed to the FIBA rules should help Wilbekin when he tries out for the Team USA Under-19 team later this week. If Wilbekin makes Team USA, he would be making his second trip overseas in less than two months. Team USA will travel to the U-19 World Championships in Latvia later this summer.
“To go overseas once this summer is a pretty big deal,” Wilbekin said. “But to go overseas twice, that would be amazing.”
This 2011-12 team is going to be a fast break, back court pressure team with serious shooters. They are going to a lot of fun to watch. Coach D is will really have his hands full developing these guards to play unselfish and with defense passion. I see a lot of 3 and even 4 guard rotations but having the right guys in at the right time is going to take some time to figure out. Coach is going to have a lot of fun experimenting but if he is able o figure it out, (I am sure he will) look out. This should be some serious Billy ball at it’s best. Fast, Agressive, and lights out with the 3 ball.
Kevin,
Any update on the status of Eric Murphy and his suspension from the team? Even with all of these guards, he will be very much needed this coming season. Thanks.
Smart move for Wilbekin (and the Gators) would be for Wilbekin to take a redshirt year this coming year (to further mature and develop), which will help out with what, no matter what folks are saying, will be a (albeit nice) logjam at guard next year, and give Wilbekin another productive year. Otherwise, he is going to be a bit of an odd man out next year minutes-wise.
Wilbekin’s high basketball IQ (exceptional defense, court awareness and passing) will assure him adequate minutes, especially in late game situations – particularly those in which the Gators are protecting a narrow lead.
IF he can improve his shooting accuracy (his passing/assist ability is already very good), he may well earn the starting PG position. At the very least, he’d be one of the best 6th men in the country!
————
IGTBAG!
Cheers
PS: It would sure be nice if we could pick up a big shooting forward from the JUCO ranks!
“since Nick Calathes unexpectedly left as a sophomore for Greece at the end of the 2008-09 season.”
Does anyone really know the true reason behind this? It just screams of controversy.
Gatordiego, that is a great idea about the redshirt. Makes total sense. Either way, I like our situation.
No love for Prather he was really coming into his own at end of the tourney.
Nicks Granddad was affiliated with Greece Bball,Nick tried to make their Olympic team.
No controversy Granpappys stories must have had some effect.
I agree with the poster above Wilb. could be the star of this team,just two years down the road.
Cant wait to see Billy’s full court press at work again !!
..looks like he’s building it up to do battle with big $$ kentucky
whom we can never beat them by margin large enough…
Billy wont be able to press with Walker on the court.the key to pressing is blocking the ball handlers field of vision,at 5’7 Walker isnt tall enough.
Walker is too short to even spot pass receivers much less pass over anybody with any control. Everyone needs to be a 100% team-player. Walker is about a 60% team-player. Walker is too short to effectively drive for layups or backboard shots. How many blocked shots or rebounds per game does Walker average?
Yes, he made some wild shots but a 6 footer would not need to resort to wild shots. When he starts his movings teammates don’t maneuver for a pass
because their will be no pass coming,no backdoor sure-shots. No defender
ever has to foul Walker to stop his shot.
Roger, you got that so wrong. Erv is, a team player, a good b-handler, a fearless player, a much improved player, a player that does listen to you.
If having too many guards was a problem, then why do they keep signing? BD knows what he is doing.
We are going to be awesome the next couple of years.