Gators Secure Commitment from Marshall Center Transfer Micah Handlogten
UPDATE: Micah Handlogten put pen to paper on Monday afternoon, the program announced. He is officially a member of the Gators roster heading into next season.
Former Marshall center Micah Handlogten is transferring to the Florida Gators. The Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in 2022-23 chose the Gators over interest from a plethora of Power Six programs.
Taking an official visit to the University of Florida from Friday to Sunday, Handlogten ultimately shut down his recruitment to pledge himself to Todd Golden and Co.
The Gators lost eight players following the 2022-23 season's conclusion, marking a mass exodus of talent Golden would have to replace heading into his second season.
While the desire to obtain skilled ball handlers and shooters were evident, finding a piece to fill the shoes of now-former star center Colin Castleton stood paramount on the list of to-dos.
Handlogten is expected to be that piece.
Standing at 7-foot-1, 227 pounds, Handlogten will provide the rim protection and rebounding abilities that eluded the Gators last season, especially without Castleton in the fold.
Last season, he ranked No. 17 in the NCAA in rebounds per game at 9.8, accompanying that with 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals.
Handlogten possesses impeccable length given his frame. He's a plus-defender who can not only alter shots in the paint but step out to take on opposing stretch big men or show on ball screens to slow opposing ball handlers.
His functional athleticism in that regard, paired with the towering stature he brings to the table, was a drawing factor for Golden and Co.
He continues to grow on the offensive end as a scorer after averaging just 7.6 points per game as a freshman, but he did show signs of being able to facilitate from the inside for the Thundering Herd.
That aligns him almost seamlessly into the Gators' offense as the staff looks to operate out of a big in that way moving forward.
Handlogten joins Yale transfer EJ Jarvis in the Gators frontcourt heading into the 2023-24 season. The two acquisitions immediately bolster the size of Florida's roster compared to Golden's first campaign with the team.
Now, Florida will shift its focus to the backcourt as they pursue multiple pieces to fill crucial vacancies at guard after Kyle Lofton and Myreon Jones exhausted their eligibility. Priority recruit Walter Clayton Jr. — an Iona transfer who will choose between Florida and St. John's — is scheduled to announce his decision on Tuesday.
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