Florida adds South Carolina transfer Damontre Harris
Florida missed out on some big men in the recruiting cycle but will fortify its frontcourt with South Carolina transfer Damontre Harris, according to multiple reports. The Gators were in the running for Jarnell Stokes, Alex Poythress and Anthony Bennett, but saw the three big men sign with Tennessee, Kentucky and UNLV, respectively.
In Harris, Florida adds depth for the 2013-14 season. Harris, who is 6-foot-9, 227 pounds, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining after sitting out this season per NCAA transfer rules.
Harris opted to transfer after South Carolina fired coach Darrin Horn and hired Frank Martin from Kansas State. He picked Florida over Kansas.
“I pretty much look at it like a new chapter in my life, a new experience,” Harris told the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer in an appearance in his hometown.
As a sophomore, Harris averaged 6.8 points and a team-best 5.5 rebounds per game. He tied for second in the SEC with 2.3 blocks per game.
In two games in the O’Connell Center, Harris has excelled. This season he had 12 points, nine rebounds and six blocks in a 74-66 loss to the Gators. During his freshman year, Harris had eight points, four rebounds and three blocks in South Carolina’s 72-69 win.
“The best game I had my freshman year was there, and my sophomore year, that’s probably the best game I had,” Harris told the Observer. “The coaches have been joking with me a lot, so I just tell them it’s the gym and their fans, the atmosphere.”
His arrival could help the Gators should center Patric Young elect to leave early for the NBA Draft. This spring, Young opted to return for his junior season despite being a projected first-round pick.
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