'Welcome' Sign Always Out for Gator Greats
Thursday, June 18, 2015 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The calls and text messages began popping up in cell phones within a week.
Michael White was hired May 7 to replace Billy Donovan as Florida's basketball coach. In his introductory news conference four days later, White made his appreciation and admiration for Donovan and what the iconic UF coach accomplished abundantly clear. It was important to White, though, that his reverence and recognition for Gator glory extend to the players that created it, as well.
That's when cell phones began buzzing.
“He reached out to us early and told us all he was looking forward to meeting us,” said former forward Casey Prather, just a year removed from his first-team All-Southeastern season that ended in the 2014 Final Four. “He told us that this place was still ours and that we were welcome back any time. He said we were all part of Gator history and that it would always belong to us.”
As such, an invitation back to the UF basketball family -- and, by extension, the UF basketball complex -- will be open at all times, which includes the summertime when the Gators who have moved on to play professionally (be it in the NBA, the Developmental League or internationally) enjoy going on workout retreats.
So it's been quite the scene the last few weeks, with UF players past ducking into the basketball facility to meet the new faces, say hello to some old ones, while also getting a look and feel of early days of the Mike White era. 
“I love coming back here and watching these guys because it's amazing to me, the hunger you see in guys' eyes as they're getting ready for another step in their careers,” said Chicago Bulls all-star center Joakim Noah (right), one of the poster boys for Gator Greatness. “Obviously, no one can ever replace Coach Donovan, but I look at Coach White and see a young and hungry coach who's ready to prove himself on the big stage. There was a time when Coach Donovan was that guy too. I've only been here a couple days, but you can tell guys respect him and are ready to get to work and take on this big challenge. That's all you can ask for.”
Added Erik Murphy, the 2013 All-SEC sharp-shooting forward who played last season with the D-League Austin Spurs: “Coach [Donovan], obviously, built this program and made it what it is today. That doesn't mean somebody else can't come in and continue to help it grow and thrive. It's going to be a big change, having a new coach, new staff. A lot of things about Florida basketball are going to be different. But that doesn't mean Florida basketball can't continue to get better.”
Noah joined fellow teammate/two-time NCAA champion Taurean Green, who played last year in France, in checking in for a stretch with their favorite trainer, David “Duke” Werner, and a visit with executive assistant Tracy Pfaff up in the coaches offices. Werner and Pfaff remain the lone holdouts from the 2006-07 back-to-back championship seasons.
Strength and conditioning coach Preston Greene, who arrived in 2010, is still around to help guys get their lifts in.
A lot of faces have changed, but the bonds of the program remain and woven into that fabric -- throughout Donovan's 19 years -- was a pursuit of excellence. Former players lived it; many achieved it.
White wants their influence to continue flowing in and out the facility doors.
“Most of these guys are out there playing basketball and making some good money -- in some cases, a lot of money -- but they're still working their butts off,” Werner said. “It's great for our [current] guys to see that, but also to talk to them and listen to their stories about how we won national championships and a bunch of league championships and the relationships that were made along the way.”
Prather, who averaged nearly 12 points per game for the D-League Bakersfield Jam, and 2014 SEC Player of the Year Scottie Wilbekin, coming off pro stints in both Australia and Greece, have been around the last couple weeks working each other out.
It's quite a sight to see for, say, current UF players like Kasey Hill, Brandone Francis and Chris Chiozza to see the offseason work that goes into maintaining a high level of performance.
And don't think Hill or Francis or Chiozza don't work a little harder when Noah or Green or Wilbekin are watching White and his staff do their thing.
“I like what they're doing,” Wilbekin said. “I like the energy the coaches show and how they really push the guys. It's got me optimistic.” 
Houston Rockets forward Corey Brewer, coming off arguably his best all-around NBA season, figures to roll in next month while in town for his annual youth camp. They hope to see Al Horford, fresh off an All-Star selection and run to the Eastern Conference finals.
And the doors will open for Mike Miller, Chandler Parsons, Udonis Haslem, Patric Young and recently crowned NBA champion David Lee and Marreese Speights of Golden State, and all the rest, as well.
“It's going to feel and look a little different around for a while. I mean, as far as I'm concerned, Coach Donovan is the GOAT,” as in Greatest of All-Time, said Green (pictured left). “But change isn't always a bad thing. Coach Donovan has moved on to his next challenge and we're all happy for him. But we're still Gators and always will be, so we're thrilled for Coach White and pulling for him.”
