Mike White has rounded out his 2019-20 roster with one of the most talented big men in the college basketball game.
According to multiple reports (and first reported by Stadium’s Jeff Goodman), Kerry Blackshear, Jr has opted to transfer to Florida, where he will be eligible to play immediately.
Kerry Blackshear, barring a last-minute change of heart, is expected to choose Florida, source told @Stadium. Huge pickup for Mike White and the Gators.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 27, 2019
Blackshear averaged 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in 30 minutes of play while facing a gauntlet schedule in the ACC.
Blackshear was a four-star prospect out of Evans High School in Orlando. He was rated the No. 121 prospect in the nation and the No. 13 prospect in Florida for the 2015 recruiting cycle. According to 247Sports, the power forward never received an offer from Florida, but did from Florida State, Georgia, and Tennessee among others.
Virginia Tech graduate transfer Kerry Blackshear expected to land at Florida, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Was the No. 1 transfer in the country. Think the Gators are a top-10 team with him in the fold.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) June 27, 2019
Over the last few weeks, Blackshear has made visits to Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
With his family positioned in Orlando and his younger brother Kenan signed to play at Florida Atlantic, it’s likely that Gainesville’s proximity to home was a key factor in his decision.
Florida is now likely to be a Top-10 team entering the season as Blackshear was the top transfer available in the portal this year.
Updated Preseason Top 25 with Blackshear/UF News:
1. MSU
2. Louisville
3. UK
4. KU
5. Duke
6. Maryland
7. UF
8. UNC
9. UVA
10. Nova
11. TT
12. SHU
13. Baylor
14. LSU
15. Gonzaga
16. Memphis
17. FSU
18. UA
19. Purdue
20. UW
21. VCU
22. Gtown
23. Harvard
24. Miss St
25. Utah St— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 27, 2019