Florida basketball recruiting: Scottie Lewis headlines nation’s No. 7 class

The Gator’s top-10 ranked class is a combination of immediate impact players and players who need development that will complement the returning roster.

One aspect of college basketball recruiting that often flies under the radar is the ability of coaches to properly construct rosters. It’s always sexy to have incoming recruits with lofty rankings year after year, but coaches always need to ask themselves, “how do my incoming recruits mesh with my returning players?”

Florida Gators head coach Mike White has done an absolutely terrific job with his 2019 recruiting class and how his five incoming freshman fit with the returning roster. Coach White’s class is top-heavy with two McDonald’s All-Americans, and three other signees that can become significant contributors if they develop properly.

Last year’s Gators made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Michigan. Returning sophomores Noah Locke (guard) and Keyontae Johnson (forward) are expected to be team leaders on the court and take the next step with their scoring.

However, a lot of Florida’s potential success next year is predicated on the return of guard Andrew Nembhard, who is currently testing the NBA Draft waters. Nembhard is a pure point who led the Gators with 5.4 assists per game last season. Gator fans should be confident, however, as most mock drafts have him undrafted in the upcoming 2019 draft.

Florida’s incoming class is No. 7 in the nation according to 247Sports. Not mentioned is forward transfer Anthony Duruji from Louisiana Tech. Duruji will have to sit out the 2019-2020 season, and will then have two years of eligibility. Below you will find a brief scouting report on the incoming recruit and what this means for Florida. The numbers in parenthesis next to a player’s name are indicative of their rank according to 247Sports.

Florida basketball recruiting class signees

• Scottie Lewis (7) – Long and rangy wing with prototypical size (6’6″) and a plus wingspan. Will be an absolutely elite defender who will give opposing players nightmares. Falls in the category of who “loves the game” with his immense competitiveness and drive. Can’t say enough positives about the fire and energy in which Lewis plays, and how he focuses on being the best teammate possible. However, Lewis has a ton of work to do offensively and has ways to go before being a viable offensive option. Willing and capable passer but his ceiling will be as high as he can take his offensive game.
• Tre Mann (20) – Point Guard with a really intuitive and crafty feel for the game. Can set up defenders with decisive and manipulating dribble moves. A very gifted shooter from deep. Possess good vision in the half-court and can create shots with his dribbling to compliment good (not elite) athleticism. Needs to add strength, especially with his size at 6’3″/195 to handle other SEC ball-handlers. Could play off-ball as well.
• Omar Payne (43) – Immediate impact defender whose defensive game is far ahead of his offensive abilities at this moment. Routinely voted as an elite shot blocker for his class and a plus rebounder. Athleticism is great with high-level running and jumping. Has an ideal frame that he needs to grow into to gain strength. His ceiling will also be defined by how much he can add to his offensive game.
• Jason Jitoboh (234) – Multi-year player whose potential will be tied to his development. Can definitely grow into being a power-5 starter and significant contributor. Great size who is tough to move and plays with great strength. Not an explosive athlete but can improve with an SEC strength and conditioning staff.
• Ques Glover (392) – High-major athlete who is also a good shooter. The biggest issue with him is acclimating to the college game, especially with his body (listed at 5’11” and weighing 175 pounds). Will likely play sparingly to start his career but can develop into a strong contributor with physical maturity.

What the incoming class means for Florida in 2019-2010

Mike White did an exceptional job grabbing players 1-5 in this decorated class. Lewis has the potential to be a one-and-done but his draft stock could fluctuate depending on his offensive output. Every other signee could likely be in Gainesville for two-four years and with proper development can continue to place the Gators in the mix to win the SEC and compete for a Final Four berth.