Getty Image / Ronald Martinez
Over the past couple of decades, the Florida Gators have been one of the most successful basketball programs in the country.
They won consecutive titles back in 2006 and 2007.
Since then, they’ve made it to the NCAA Tournament 9 times, including a Final Four appearance and four other trips to the Elite Eight.
Unfortunately, the past couple of seasons haven’t been quite so successful.
Two years ago, the Gators went 20-14 and missed the NCAA Tournament. This past season, they actually finished below .500 with a 16-17 record.
Right now it looks like they could be getting themselves headed back in the right direction.
Although it looks like they are going to lose Colin Castleton to the draft this summer and haven’t had much recruiting success for 2023, they have brought in the 11th-ranked transfer class for next season.
Now, whatever happens in 2023, they appear to already be getting big wins on the recruiting side of things for 2024.
They already have one 4-star committed for that class in shooting guard Isaiah Brown.
Now they appear to have found their replacement for Castleton.
According to On3’s Joe Tipton, 7’2″ center John Bol has committed to play for the Florida Gators.
NEWS: 2024 Top-30 prospect John Bol, a 7-foot-2 center, tells me he has committed to Florida.
Story: https://t.co/IftS3TnhQk pic.twitter.com/ZB9SXe0ipE
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) June 10, 2023
“I feel like Florida is the best fit for me and my skillset,” he told Tipton. “Ultimately, going to the league is my goal and I feel Florida can get me there.”
John Bol is currently the 30th ranked recruit in the Class of 2024 and has generated quite a bit of hype in high school thanks to his size.
He should be a big difference maker for Florida on the interior once he joins the roster and Gators fans will be hoping he can help them become a college basketball powerhouse once again.