Florida returns sophomores Chandler Parsons (SF/PF, 6'10") and Alex Tyus (PF, 6'8"). Donovan has praised Parsons for his upside. Parsons has the height of a power forward but the skill set of a small forward. His three-point shot is very dangerous. He is a mismatch nightmare. Look for him to be bigger and have some development in his low post game at the beginning of next season.
Alex Tyus has been gifted with a lot of athleticism, and he really is the only true power forward that Florida has returning on the roster.
The Freshmen:
Florida has three big freshmen coming in this year: Kenny Kadji (C, 6'10"), Eloy Vargas (PF, 6'10"), and Allan Chaney (PF, 6'8"). None of them are McDonald's All-Americans, but neither were Noah and Horford. Florida is hoping that Kenny Kadji and Eloy Vargas can make a nice one-two punch like Noah and Horford did.
That may have to wait due to the fact that Vargas and Kadji are the two biggest guys on the roster, but in the long run Vargas is a power forward. Kadji is better in the low post with his back to the basket, while Vargas has a nice mid-range game. Their games should compliment each other very well at Florida. They should be the best big man tandem entering the SEC this year.
Also, Allan Chaney was one of the fastest risers on the AAU circuit last year.
In a year or two:
Florida is also set down low for the recruiting class of 2009 with Erik Murphy (PF, 6'11") and Deshawn Painter (C, 6'9"). Vernon Macklin (6'9"), a former McDonald's All-American who played behind Roy Hibbert at Georgetown, will also become eligible to play the year that this class comes to Florida.
People who have watched Macklin play in scrimmages on campus say that Macklin shows a lot of similarities to Horford. One of those similarities is his passing skills. Even though Macklin has to sit out this year, he is another guy that the other bigs can practice against. He will make the other guys better.
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