Gators guard Kowacie Reeves enters the transfer portal
Florida Gators guard Kowacie Reeves is entering the transfer portal. Travis Branham was the first to report the news.
Players entering the transfer portal can still return to the school they are currently enrolled in. That will be an option for Reeves, who would be welcomed back by Florida and new head coach Todd Golden. Players who enter the transfer portal can officially have contact with other schools and pursue other options. It allows other coaches and universities the chance to reach out and recruit the player.
Reeves was a top-50 player in the On3 Consensus for the 2021 recruiting class. He played in 29 games (10 starts) and averaged 15.5 minutes per game. He averaged 5.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.5 steals per game while shooting 33% from 3-point range. Reeves really came on late in the 2021-22 season. He scored a career-high 21 points against Texas A&M. Reeves also scored 14 points in each of Florida’s two NIT games.
Sources indicated to Gators Online that Reeves very well could return to Florida, despite Wednesday’s news.
Gators have lost several other players, would like to keep Reeves
The Gators have seen two other players hit the transfer portal. Guard Tyree Appleby and forward Tuongthach Gatkek both decided to transfer out of the program. Additionally forward Anthony Duruji declared for the NBA Draft.
If Reeves does not return it would be a big loss for the Gators. The wing player was one of the brighter spots on a team that underperformed in 2021-22. He was certainly going to be a big piece for Golden’s first Gators squad.
Gators had good news this week
It hasn’t been all attrition from the program. Gators’ big man Colin Castleton announced he was returning for a fifth season.
“The Past couple weeks have helped me reflect on the season, as well as give me time to decide what’s next for my future,” Castleton wrote. “Thank you to my family and everyone who has helped me make this decision. Everyone’s process is different, and I’m adding another chapter to mine. Gator Nation I’m Back!”
Castleton led Florida in scoring and rebounding in the 2021-22 season, averaging 16.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He racked up 10 double-doubles on the season and also managed to block 2.2 shots per game.
The Gators also got a commitment from Will Richard, who is transferring in from Belmont. The combo guard averaged 12.1 points, six rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Before committing and signing with Belmont, Richard played his high school ball at Woodward Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.
