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Korey McCray already helping Gators on recruiting trail

Untitled_design__8_-removebg-previewby: Pat O'Donnell05/31/22patodonnell22_
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New Florida commit Riley Kugel (right) with Gators associate head coach Korey McCray, his primary recruiter.

Florida Gators men’s basketball coach Todd Golden wasted little time in hiring his first associate head coach in Gainesville, Korey McCray.

On March 30, a week after his introductory press conference, Golden announced his second staff hire by bringing McCray to the Gators as his first of two associate head coaches (Carlin Hartman).

Unlike Hartman, McCray and Golden had no experience working together prior to Florida.

“I did not have as good of a relationship with him, Golden said of McCray last week. “I knew of him. We knew of each other.”

McCray has worked in the college basketball world since 2002 when he was a graduate assistant at Florida State. His latest stops include UCLA (2011-13), LSU (2013-14) and Mississippi State (2015-22).

It was McCray’s former boss, Ben Howland, who sold Golden on McCray’s coaching ability.

“Ben Howland is the guy that was coaching at UCLA when I was in college, someone that I have a lot of respect for, just kind of going back to the early parts of his career,” Golden said. “He used to run in the same circles as Randy Bennett and Kyle Smith, guys that I’ve played for. And when I talked to Coach Howland about Korey, and he had a lot of great, great things to say about him that was enough for me. And obviously having about 10 years of experience in the SEC.”

Golden described both of his associate head coaches in McCray and Hartman as “home run hires.”

While working with Howland at UCLA and Mississippi State, McCray’s focus was on recruiting and developing the guards.

“He has worked tirelessly to build real relationships all around the country – specifically within the Southeast region,” Golden said. “As a former point guard in college, he has great leadership qualities that will rub off on our student-athletes.  He is a great husband and father, and he will be an integral part of my coaching staff moving forward.”

The Gators have already benefited from Korey McCray’s hiring

Before Howland and his staff were let go from Mississippi State, McCray was able to recruit and sign top-50 overall recruit Riley Kugel.

Kugel was released from his letter of intent after the coaching change, and McCray heavily pursued the four-star shooting guard once he was hired at UF.

Kugel announced his commitment to the Gators on May 23 and later signed his letter of intent last Thursday.

“Just the whole coaching staff,” Kugel said when asked why he picked UF. “Coach Golden, Coach McCray, the whole coaching staff. They just showed love constantly, every day. On my bad days, they’re there for me. They just want to get me to the NBA and develop me.”

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