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Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Florida’s basketball season so far has been the emergence of center Colin Castleton. He transferred to the Gators after a lackluster start to his collegiate career at Michigan. Not much of a contributor there, he wasn’t even expected to be eligible to play this year.
But the NCAA approved his waiver at the last minute, and Florida has been much better for it.
He’s averaging 12.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, and he’s the kind of big man UF has been in search of for years. He’s a force offensive on the inside, and he’s a phenomenal rim protector.
His play isn’t lost on the national analysts, either. In a rundown of how each transfer has performed this season, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello praised Castleton, placing him in the “needed a change of scenery” category.
Colin Castleton, Florida: In two seasons at Michigan, Castleton started one game and played double-digit minutes just seven times. He scored in double figures twice in 46 games. Eleven games into his career in Gainesville, Castleton has been one of the best big men in the SEC. He is averaging 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks — and those numbers are even better since SEC play began. In his past seven games, Castleton is averaging 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks.
Interestingly, former Gators point guard Andrew Nembhard, who is averaging 9.1 points and 4.1 assists with Gonzaga, isn’t mentioned in the article.
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