Former Gators Guard Trey Bonham Commits to UT Chattanooga
Photo: Trey Bonham; Credit: Zach Goodall
The Chattanooga Mocs have earned former Gators guard Trey Bonham's pledge, his father, Richard Bonham, announced via Twitter on Thursday evening.
The move marks the Mobile (Ala.) native's second transfer in as many offseasons.
Following two successful years at the Virginia Military Institute, Bonham entered his name into the transfer portal looking for a potential upgrade in competition.
His standing as one of the most efficient scorers in the nation — shooting 48.7% from the floor, 36.9% from three and 79.2% from the free throw line over two seasons — drew the eyes of then-newly minted Gators head coach Todd Golden and staff as they looked to fill out the roster for year one.
Bonham quickly emerged as a high-upside, analytic-driven guard project to backup veteran Kyle Lofton during the 2022-23 season.
However, his Gators career began faster than many expected.
Opening the year showcasing his strong scoring abilities, Bonham willed Florida to a double-digit comeback victory over Florida State to begin Golden's first campaign. He started in 13 contests moving forward, serving as one of the team's leading scorers and tying the record for most threes made in program history without a miss, knocking down seven shots from downtown against Florida A&M.
Although the hot start justified his belonging at the Power Six level, the fast beginning had an even faster end. Bonham saw his time start to dwindle as SEC play approached and he fell out of the starting lineup, cited for lapses on the defensive end of the floor.
His minutes became limited until they were nonexistent.
Failing to find the rhythm that once earned him praise as a potential key component to the team's future under Golden, Bonham became an afterthought in the team's game plan during his lone year in Gainesville. He finished the season averaging 5.6 points on 36.9% from the floor and 32.9% from three, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
He entered the transfer portal after the season came to a close, looking for a new home to showcase his talents.
Now, Bonham will look to rekindle his fire in his return to the Southern Conference.
However, due to NCAA Transfer Rules, it's expected the former Gators guard will be forced to sit a year before returning to the hardwood after exhausting his one-time transfer exception to move from VMI to UF.
Bonham is the fourth former Gator to find a new home this offseason, joining Kowacie Reeves Jr. (Georgia Tech), Jason Jitoboh (Tennessee State) and CJ Felder (McNeese State).
Florida, on the other hand, has brought in four transfers of its own to patch the holes created by the eight departing pieces this offseason.
Walter Clayton Jr., EJ Jarvis, Tyrese Samuel and Micah Handlogten make up the new faces now in the fold at UF to aid key returners Riley Kugel and Will Richard next season.
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