Billy Donovan continued his hot streak when it comes to recruiting guards when he landed a commitment from elite 2013 point guard Kasey Hill (6-1, 160/Clermont, Fla.) of Montverde Academy.
Hill was in the O’Connell Center for Florida’s game versus Yale and committed the Gators following the game, citing his relationship with Donovan as one of the main factors in his decision. He gives Florida a fantastic prospect for the Class of 2013 and his recruitment may pay dividends with other elite players, too.
Arguably the top point guard in the 2013 class, Hill adds a legitimate makes-his-teammates-better point guard, as well as one that can knock down the big shot if he needs to. He is exceptional at penetrating the defense and finding the open man while still possessing the athleticism to finish acrobatic shots around the rim.
Hill’s vertical is impressive for a 6-foot-1 guard. He put his hops on display at the Kingdom of the Sun tournament held in late December, a tournament in which Hill was named MVP.
(via ThePrepZone)
With Florida signees Michael Frazier and Dillon Graham having already played on the same team as Kasey Hill for some time – Frazier is his high school teammate, Graham his AAU running mate – Hill will already have established a rapport with his future college teammates before he joins the Gators.
Montverde head coach Matt Ramker tweeted that Hill’s commitment to the Gators "will go down as one of the most important in Billy D’s career." This obviously won’t be determined for some time, but the Hill commitment could result in other top talent taking an extra hard look at the Gators.
Chris Walker, an elite 2013 power forward, has already been seriously considering Florida. Walker and Hill have developed a relationship from the AAU circuit, and both have expressed interest in possibly playing together.
A second possible ripple is another one of Hill’s high school teammates: 2014 center Dakari Johnson. Florida is in the mix early on for Johnson, and having a connection between Montverde and Gainesville will only help Billy Donovan’s chances of landing the emerging star.
0 recs | 16 comments
nice
but we need frontline players
desperately
sportsman - January 4, 2012
True.
I’m confident Florida lands Anthony Bennett. Real confident at this point.
LanceDavis - January 4, 2012
Hope you’re right.
Gatorbuc15 - January 4, 2012
Would be very surprising if Bennett goes to UF.
internet commenter - January 6, 2012
Love Hill
He’s really gonna be something special.
Gatorbuc15 - January 4, 2012
Closer and closer to Donovan's dream
5 guards, nothing but 3s!
Chekhov's Spread Gun Option - January 4, 2012
ALL OF THE THREES
ParadigmShift35 - January 5, 2012
He won't be here until 2013
Unless you plan on relying on Wilbeken then we need guards
Sveet - January 5, 2012
Well
if we parlay this into Walker and Johnson we maybe looking at a huge signing.
ECFIVESTER - January 5, 2012
There's a good chance that happens.
Florida’s already in great shape with Walker. Hill committing helps somewhat because they’re friends that I see wanting to stay in state.
As for Dakari, I don’t know how Hill will effect his recruitment because 2014 is so far off. But having a friend in Gainesville will only help.
It will be interesting to see what Nerlens Noel does if Walker commits to UF. Right now I’d say UF’s about third or fourth on Noel’s list, but things can change.
LanceDavis - January 5, 2012 via iPhone app
My kingdom for a big man!!!
skigator93 - January 5, 2012
It’s getting to the point, where anyone taller than 6’6" qualifies as a big-man for the Gators.
FlaGators - January 5, 2012
you mean 6'4"
skigator93 - January 6, 2012
That’ll work.
FlaGators - January 6, 2012
Corey Brewer was a big man
A scrawny big man by Donovan’s standards …
ECFIVESTER - January 6, 2012
Haha, yes. So true.
FlaGators - January 6, 2012
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