Florida's Tyree Appleby makes decision regarding future with Gators

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•04/04/22•

BarkleyTruax

Florida star guard Tyree Appleby has decided to test his luck in the transfer portal, On3’s Matt Zenitz has confirmed. Appleby averaged 10.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists this past season for the Gators.

Appleby, who will be a sixth year senior next season, transferred to Florida from Cleveland State after his sophomore season in 2018-19. His sophomore campaign was the most impressive of his career, averaging 17.2 points and 5.6 assists per game with the Vikings and even had his first career triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists vs. UW-Milwaukee that year.

Since his move to Gainesville, Appleby has averaged 11.2 points and 3.5 assists through two seasons on the court and has started in 44 of 59 games with the Gators.

Anthony Duruji makes final decision on future

Florida star Anthony Duruji made things official Friday. He’s heading to the NBA Draft.

Duruji released a statement on Twitter saying he’s heading to the draft and hiring an agent. That means he won’t return for another year of college basketball.

“I’m thankful for Coach [Mike] White and the whole coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to further my collegiate career,” Duruji wrote. “Huge thank you to Gator Nation & the community of Gainesville. I am blessed to have found my wife and become a Gator graduate. 

“I have gained such great relationships and memories that will last a lifetime. … With that being said, I will be hiring an agent and forgoing my college eligibility to enter the 2022 NBA Draft.”

Duruji started his college career at Louisiana Tech before transferring to Florida in 2019. In his two years with Florida, he averaged 7.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 55 games with the Gators, including 45 starts.

Florida finished 20-14 overall and 9-9 in SEC action. Mike White left after the season to become the new head coach at Georgia, where he’s replacing Tom Crean. The Gators moved to hire former San Francisco coach Todd Golden to replace White after the Dons’ NCAA Tournament loss.