Graphic: Scott MacCord/UAA Communications
Hudson Eyes NBA, Puk Shelved, Mullen on Sorority Row, More Gators Tidbits
Wednesday, March 28, 2018 | General, Scott Carter
Gators guard Jalen Hudson declares for NBA Draft but is keeping his options open by not signing with an agent.
Hudson declared for the draft and added "but at this time I will not be signing with an agent." Hudson has until June 11 to withdraw from the draft and return to school for his senior season if he does not sign with an agent.
The 6-foot-6 guard transferred from Virginia Tech after his sophomore season and sat out the 2016-17 campaign due to NCAA transfer rules. Once he took the court at UF, Hudson proved his worth by leading the Gators in scoring this season at 15.5 points per game.
Hudson is projected as a possible second-round pick whose scoring ability is his greatest asset. He can shoot outside, from beyond the arc and has the ability to create his own shot in the lane. Hudson shot 45.5 percent from the floor and hit a team-high 78 3-pointers as the Gators advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Texas Tech.
Hudson's loss would be a big hole to fill for the Gators, who already lose point guard Chris Chiozza and forward/guard Egor Koulechov from last season's team.
Hudson's announcement comes a day after Gators center John Egbunu announced on Instagram that he plans to pursue a professional career and not seek a medical exemption for a possible sixth year of eligibility.
Egbunu suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in February 2017 and did not play during the 2017-18 season. The 6-foot-11 Egbunu, who transferred to Florida from USF, averaged 10 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Gators and set a single-season school record with 75 dunks during the 2015-16 season.
So, John Egbunu makes it official, via Instagram. On behalf of #Gators everywhere, thank you, John, and good luck at the next level. pic.twitter.com/agyirCwt92
— Chris Harry (@GatorsChris) March 27, 2018
PUK LIKELY TO MISS SEASON
Former Gators starter A.J. Puk, the sixth overall pick of the 2016 MLB amateur draft, is likely headed to the operating table according to the Oakland A's.
The A's announced Tuesday that Dr. James Andrews has recommended Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in Puk's left arm.
A top pitching prospect in Oakland's farm system, Puk was projected as a possible addition to the rotation later in the season if he performed well in the minors to start the season. Instead, Puk complained of discomfort in his arm this spring and tests revealed the need for surgery.
"First and foremost, you feel sorry for him," A's manager Bob Melvin told the San Francisco Chronicle. "He's a young guy. Typically when these things happen, these guys come back as strong if not stronger than ever. And I know he's going to work hard to get back and pitch in the fashion he was."
Puk did not allow a run in his first three outings in spring training. However, on March 15, he allowed four runs in his final inning against Seattle and was optioned to minor-league camp.
MULLEN MAKES ROUNDS
Gators head coach Dan Mullen spent Tuesday night on a recruiting trip unlike any other he's made since taking over the program in late November.
Mullen took his road show to UF's Sorority Row.
In his attempt to pack the Swamp on April 14 for the Orange & Blue Game, Mullen is reaching out to a wide range of student organizations. He aimed his attention toward the Greek Girls on Tuesday.
Mullen indicated during a recent speaking engagement in Orlando how the UF sororities can help improve the atmosphere in the student section on game day.
"If I want all the guys to show up, if I get the girls to show up ... well, then that answers the fraternity question,'' he said.
Thanks to Alpha Epsilon Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Gamma Phi Beta for letting me stop by today. See you at the spring game. #PacktheSwamp #GoGators pic.twitter.com/axnSWwafgc
— Dan Mullen (@CoachDanMullen) March 28, 2018
THE HEAD BALL COACH (AGAIN)
Steve Spurrier was in his office at the University Athletic Association on Tuesday talking about how the Gators quarterbacks are looking in spring practice. Football is never far from Spurrier's mind.
Spurrier told Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday night that perhaps he's still got a few ball plays left in him. Spurrier's name has surfaced as a potential candidate to coach in the just-announced Alliance of American Football.
"I can't talk a lot about it," Spurrier said. "It sounds like an interesting and intriguing format and could be a lot of fun. I'm fired up about it, and we'll see what happens. But I do have an interest."
Orlando is one of the cities being mentioned for a franchise in the new league.
POYNER ON FAST TRACK
The news Tuesday for another former Gators left-hander was much better.
Bobby Poyner, a teammate of Puk's with the Gators and Boston's 14th-round draft pick in 2015, learned Tuesday he made the Red Sox's Opening Day roster.
Poyner had an excellent spring, allowing just one earned run in 10 1/3 innings (0.87 ERA) out of the bullpen. Still, Poyner's addition to the roster was somewhat of a surprise since he has never pitched above Double-A.
Check out what Poyner had to say:
IN MEMORIAM
The Gators' depth chart heading into the 1985 season featured a secondary that included Curtis Stacy and Jarvis Williams as the starting cornerbacks, and Adrian White and Ricky Knight as the starting safeties.
Of course, right behind Knight on the depth chart was a newcomer named Louis Oliver, who soon took over and went on to have a solid NFL career with the Miami Dolphins.Meanwhile, Knight, a local kid who starred at Gainesville High prior to signing with the Gators, finished his career quietly and remained a local resident for most of his life. He was a UF letterwinner in 1984 and '85.
One of Knight's most memorable plays for the Gators came in their 20-0 victory at LSU in October 1985, when he intercepted Tigers quarterback Jeff Wickersham's pass in the third quarter to help preserve the shutout.
Fifty-three-year-old Richard Samuel Knight, born June 11, 1964, died earlier this month of undisclosed causes.
Former Gators offensive lineman Gary Duven, a three-year letterwinner from 1966-68, passed away on March 13 at his home in Bryson City, N.C. Duven died unexpectedly three days prior to what would have been his 71st birthday.
Duven grew up in Hollywood, Fla., and signed with the Gators in 1965. He later settled in North Carolina and became an avid outdoorsman, opening the Rolling Thunder River Company that specializes in whitewater trips on the Nantahala River.
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