Early Departures of the Donovan Era, Part III

Written by James Brown, Gatorsfirst.com Co-Founder

I began writing this piece, thinking that Nick Calathes could actually go to the NBA, and it would be chronologically relevant.  Since that time, Allan Chaney and DeShawn Painter have assured that it is a pertinent topic whether Calathes stays or goes.  After I completed all my research, and dove into the writing, I realized it would be easier to follow in a series format.  This is the third in that series.  You can find parts one and two here.

In 2005, the Gators witnessed an exodus as David Lee, Anthony Roberson, and Matt Walsh all took their games (or tried to take their games) to the NBA.  They had just won the first SEC Tournament title in school history.

The program will go through the highest of highs, winning back-to-back titles, but also sink to, really, almost the lowest depths of the Donovan Era.  Will the ship be righted as we move forward?

I actually wrote this and set it to publish before the Alex Tyus story came out.  So I have updated that part and will be back with more analysis on Monday.

2005-06

The three team leaders, and 60 percent of the starting five (Horford and Brewer being the other two), left for the NBA.  David Lee was a four-year man, and was the only one to get drafted, as the New York Knicks grabbed him very late in the first round (okay, so it was the last pick).  Oh well, it worked out for the best for Gator fans.

More to our point, incoming freshmen were: Walter Hodge, the lefty (cheers!); David Huertas, an actual guard significantly over 6 feet tall; Derwin Kitchen, who couldn’t qualify but ended up at FSU—sort of like a bunch of jokes I’ve told over the years; Jimmie Sutton, who was considered to be very athletic, raw, and a ‘project’, and then medically redshirted. 

Ingram was always on football scholarship (per NCAA multi-sport rules), but decided to stay exclusively with football after one season with Billy Donovan’s squad.  Nyan Boateng was also listed by rivals as a SG in this class, but I ignored that, as well.

2006-07

Sutton went to FAU.  Huertas took his one ring and left for Ole Miss, because he would have hated to own a second one (speculation).  It is odd to me he then chose to leave Ole Miss early, after the 08-09 season, to play professionally in Puerto Rico. 

Incoming freshmen: Dan Werner, a living, breathing drinking game; Marreese Speights, called ‘Instant O’ by Noah for his per-minute contributions;  Brandon Powell, who probably punched a Vandy fan in the head; and Jonathan Mitchell, who I don’t have anything to say about.

Also departing after the first National Championship was long time Donovan assistant Anthony Grant, who took the head coaching job at VCU.  He became a favorite of mankind by beating Duke in the first round 2007 NCAA Tournament (with help from Eric Maynor).

2007-08

Horford, Noah, Brewer, and Green went pro after passing up the opportunity once.  Hard to blame guys who stick it out for three years, but they did leave early for the purposes of this list.  Brandon Powell left the squad after being arrested for buying drugs, and followed long time Donovan assistant Donnie Jones to Marshall. 

Incoming freshmen: Nick Calathes, two-time Florida Mr. Basketball and McDonald’s All-American ; Jai Lucas, another McDonald’s All-American; Chandler Parsons, designated teammate of Calathes; Adam Allen, also a baseball prospect who has missed one season due to injury, but shot 42 percent threes in the other season; and Alex Tyus, who may have grown a goatee after we repeatedly made WNBA jokes when he came on the screen.

Billy Donovan famously (infamously?) took the Orlando Magic job for less than a week.  Less famously, I was on my honeymoon and easily ignore this ever happened. 

Donnie Jones, a native of West Virginia and the only Marshall assistant that stayed when Billy Donovan came in, ended up back at Marshall, his alma mater.  It is worth noting that Anthony Grant was to be Donovan’s replacement here at Florida.

2008-09

Marreese Speights turned one year of a prominent role (or really, a role, period) into a mid first-round pick in the NBA Draft.  Jai Lucas left after playing one exhibition game, which has made his eligibility as he transfers to Texas an issue.  Jonathan Rutgers transferred shortly after the 07-08 season, going closer to home at Rutgers.

Incoming freshmen: Allan Chaney, who I liked in the small doses we saw of him- between injuries- in 08-09; Kenny Kadji, who was maddeningly inconsistent- the jury is still out; Ray Shipman, whom my brother calls ‘Juwanna Mann’; Eloy Vargas, another injury story; and Erving Walker, Official Player of this Blog and 4-foot-tall dynamo.

Also leaving was assistant Lewis Preston, who came on after Anthony Grant left for VCU.  He took another assistant job at Penn State.

2009-10

Allan Chaney transferred after a late season suspension probably affected his relationship with Billy Donovan.  Nick Calathes has declared for the NBA Draft, but not hired an agent- so he could be back. 

Alex Tyus is transferring, I guess because he was tired of playing out of position at center.  Incoming freshmen: DeShawn Painter signed an LOI, so I’ll include him here, but Billy D let him out of it; Kenny Boynton, a McDonald’s All-American; and Erik Murphy, who my cousin once described as ‘tall’. 

The scholarship situation may or may not allow Donovan to add some more bodies, this is the big storyline of the summer, apart from Calathes’ decision.

Former Gator coach Anthony Grant left VCU for Alabama, which is noteworthy for this discussion because Florida assistant Shaka Smart took the VCU head coaching opening.  Smart had taken the vacancy created by Lewis Preston, after Preston had taken over for Grant.  Which is sort of odd?

Any Thoughts?

You can view the original article here.