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Tuesday evening, former Florida Gators power forward Osayi Osifo announced via his Twitter account that he has committed to play for Jacksonville University next season.
It’s possible that the coaching staff saw him as a project that would pay off down the road when recruiting him out of JUCO, but upon being granted immediate eligibility, he was able to be tested against SEC competition in 2020-2021. However, Osifo’s story with the Gators went off-script pretty much immediately and things evidently went afoul between the two parties by season’s end.
He entered the transfer portal shortly after the Gators were upset by Oral Roberts, which was a predictable choice.
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There’s only so much that went wrong last season that can be blamed on the cardiac incident that sidelined Keyontae Johnson, but overexposing Osifo to high major competition is squarely one of those things. He plays hard and, by all accounts, practices just as hard. Unfortunately, his newness to the sport and lack of nuanced basketball instincts was put fully on display with the Gators.
Pressed into service as the backup forward in head coach Mike White‘s preferred three-guard lineup, Osifo was used more than anyone expected. He averaged 1.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 10 minutes per game.
Humble x Hungry pic.twitter.com/rP7skGhv4A
— Osayi (@osayiosifo23) April 7, 2021
As for the next chapter in his story, Jacksonville is a natural choice. The Atlantic Sun Conference is a significant step down in talent from the SEC, which means he’ll have a better chance at latching onto a long-term role. Playing against softer competition, his high-energy rebounding can be a trump card and his physicality can work to greater effect.
Additionally, he’ll be maintaining a level of continuity in coaching. The new head coach of Jacksonville’s men’s basketball team is a former Mike White assistant who worked with Osifo last season.
We at Gators Wire offer Osifo a hearty thank you for his time in the Florida system and wish him the best in his future endeavors.
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