In The (Gator) Zone: Lee Joins Parsons, Clark Sprints to Notoriety, more tidbits

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This isn't the first time former UF player David Lee has been a teammate of another former Gator. Lee spent five seasons with Golden State, the last two as a teammate of former UF player Marreese Speights.

Lee and Speights won an NBA championship a season ago with the Warriors. While Speights remains in Golden State, Lee was traded to Boston in July in a cost-cutting move.

However, the 32-year-old Lee never was a good fit with the young Celtics and was released last week. He signed with Dallas and when he got there, former Florida standout Chandler Parsons – the 2011 SEC Player of the Year – said "it can't hurt" to have another Gator on the roster.

"D-Lee's a proven player, a good veteran who's going to come in and do whatever we need him to do,'' Parsons told the Fort Worth Star Telegram. "He's a two-time All-Star, so he's had a great career."

Hard to believe, but Lee is in his 11th season in the NBA after being drafted in the first round by the Knicks in 2005. The Mavericks plan to use Lee as a backup to power forward Dirk Nowitzki and depending on matchups, Lee is expected to see time at center.

"We didn't get him to sit,'' Dallas coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Tuesday. "So he's going to play."

Lee was an All-Star in 2010 and 2013 with Golden State. In his short time in Boston, Lee averaged 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 30 games. For his career, Lee averages 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds.

Dallas owner Mark Cuban, whose team is currently sixth (30-27) in the Western Conference, hopes the addition of Lee can boost the Mavericks in the standings prior to the postseason.

"He knows how to play,'' Cuban told reporters. "He is versatile, can score, pass and rebound. He is really going to help us."

Coincidentally, Parsons won't be the only familiar face around when Lee makes his Dallas debut at home Wednesday night. The Mavericks host the Oklahoma City Thunder.

At the other end of the court will be Thunder coach Billy Donovan, who recruited both Lee and Parsons to Florida.

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RUNNIN' RYAN

Gators freshman sprinter Ryan Clark showed up on campus with the credentials to be a contributor in his first season. The 2015 Gatorade Georgia Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year, Clark was a bronze medalist in the 2015 Pan-American Junior Championships.

Clark hasn't lost a step at UF. In fact, he has gained speed.

Clark is the fourth true freshman in NCAA Division I since 2000 to run a sub 6.65-second 60 meters and a sub 20.94-second 200 meters. The last – and only – UF sprinter to match that mark is John Capel, who accomplished the feat in 1999.

Clark reached both marks in Florida's last meet at the Tyson Invitational in Arkansas.

Here is a look at the company Clark joined:

**SPECIAL SPRINTERS**
Sprinter	School	Year	60M time	200M time
Ryan Clark	Florida	2016	6.64	20.93
Trentavis Friday	Florida State	2015	6.60	20.86
Walter Dix	Florida State	2005	6.60	20.37
Justin Gatlin	Tennessee	2001	6.61	20.52

Credit: Zach Dirlam, UAA Communications

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QUOTE OF NOTE I

"Chris brings a skill set that makes our return game very dynamic and dangerous. We will also look to giving him some work at running back this season." – B.C. Lions general manager Wally Buono on the recent re-signing of former Gators running back Chris Rainey, who apparently has found a home in the CFL

QUOTE OF NOTE II

"It was so tough when I turned down the [Pro Bowl invitation]. It put me a month and a half ahead of my rehab [after] surgery. It's been going really well. I'm kind of glad I turned it down … I could be ready by the time OTAs get here." – Former Gators center Mike Pouncey on his decision to have foot surgery late last season

QUOTE OF NOTE III

"I like Driskel. He can still use more polish, but he's got a big arm and can move and seems very coachable. I could see him being drafted higher than most people think. He helped himself a lot." – An AFC scouting director to the Houston Chronicle on former UF quarterback Jeff Driskel

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TWEET OF THE WEEK

Gators junior outfielder Ryan Larson earned an assist in Saturday night's 8-4 win over Florida Gulf Coast University. It wasn't a throw to nail a runner at home, but rather a toss into the stands to return UF student Bobby Floyd his smartphone.

Floyd told OnlyGators.com he accidentally dropped the phone on the field between innings. Larson returned it, but not until after taking a selfie. Floyd then tweeted the photo.

Nice work No. 66.

When you accidentally drop your phone on the field and @GatorsBB Ryan Larson picks it up and takes a pic. #GoGators pic.twitter.com/wLurqO0a90
— Bobby (@bgfloyd1015) February 21, 2016

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A POSE FROM PAST

Before Bridget Sloan and Kytra Hunter teamed to turn the UF gymnastics team into a powerhouse, there was Ann Woods. She is known by Ann Woods Smith today. In the early 1980s when Woods arrived at UF, she helped the program earn its first notoriety.

Woods claimed the 1982 Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) all-around, uneven bars and floor exercise national titles, boosting the Gators to the team title.

She recently returned to campus and showed she still has the moves:

27945 — Former UF gymnast Ann Woods strikes a familiar pose on recent return to campus. (Photo: Mary Howard, UAA)

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EXTRA, EXTRA

Gators head coach Jim McElwain is in Tampa tonight and will drop the puck prior to the Lightning's game against the Coyotes … Gators lacrosse coach Amanda O'Leary can reach a special milestone with a victory over Dartmouth on Saturday: her 100th win at UF. O'Leary built the program from scratch and UF is coming off a win at No. 2-ranked North Carolina last weekend … The rest of the SEC is chasing Alabama football and ESPN.com writer Greg Ostendorf dissects Florida's bid to close the gap in 2016. … The UF men's basketball team entered Tuesday night's game against Vanderbilt still projected to make NCAA Tournament writes Anthony Chiang of the Palm Beach Post. … Former Gators pitcher Marc Valdes, who spent six seasons (1995-2001) in the majors with four clubs, is the new pitching coach for the St. Lucie Mets of the Florida State League. … Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi ponders the thought of former Gators Joakim Noah and Al Horford reuniting as members of the Orlando Magic next season. … Former UF baseball coach Andy Lopez, who retired after 14 seasons as head coach at Arizona, is working as a college baseball analyst for the Pac-12 Network.

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In The (Gator) Zone: Lee Joins Parsons, Clark Sprints to Notoriety, more tidbits

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