Dillon Graham opts to transfer
Sunday, November 16, 2014 | Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Chris Harry
(UPDATED)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Sophomore guard Dillon Graham has left the Florida basketball team and will transfer to a yet-determined school.
After playing the final three minutes of Friday night's 68-45 season-opening defeat of William & Mary, Graham met with Billy Donovan early Saturday before practice and informed the Gators coach of his decision.
It was clear, through preseason practices and the way the first game played out, that Graham did not figure in the team's rotation -- even with suspended center Chris Walker and transfer forward Alex Murphy unavailable. The bulk of Graham's practice time was relegated to the scout team, he played just four minutes in the exhibition against Division II Barry on Nov. 6 and did not enter Friday night's game until 3:06 remained and the Gators leading by 26.
“I want to thank my teammates, coaches and everyone else at UF for a great experience during my time here,” Graham said in a statement. “Even though I am moving on to the next chapter in my life and my basketball career, I will always have positive memories from my years with the Gators.”
Graham intends to complete his first-semester academic work, then transfer to another program for the spring. Where he winds up -- Division I or Division II -- will determine how soon he'll be eligible to play.
"I have a high level of respect for him," Donovan said Sunday in meeting with the media to discuss UF's home game Monday night against state foe Miami. "For the last few weeks, I could just see him a little bit unhappy. I don't think it had anything to do with the players or coaches or the University of Florida. I think it just got to the point, 'Is this really what I want to do?' I think he got to a place where his wasn't really into basketball."
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound standout out of Orlando First Academy, Graham played just 84 minutes in 25 career games at UF and averaged only 0.4 points over his three-plus seasons. Nearly all those minutes came during his 2012-13 freshman year when he checked into 23 games and went 5-for-19 from the floor, including 1-for-10 from the 3-point line.
Graham missed all but the first game of UF's 2013-14 campaign and run to the Final Four with bone spurs in his hip that required season-ending surgery and was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA. He missed the only shot he attempted in Friday's game.
