Florida basketball signs JUCO transfer to bolster front court

The Gators have a very different men’s basketball team than they did last year. Tuongthach Gatkek is the latest addition.

Tuongthach Gatkek, who goes by Tuon, is the latest new face to join the Florida men’s basketball team.

The 6-foot-9-inch, 175-pound forward announced his commitment on Tuesday and the school confirmed his addition to the team on Friday. Gatkek played for Trinity Valley Community College last year and finished the season 23-3. He averaged 9.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.

Gatkek will play behind Colin Castleton and C.J. Felder, the latter of whom also transferred to the team this year. It wouldn’t be crazy for him to receive a redshirt either. In fact, giving Gatek a year to add muscle to his long frame may be the best possible option in terms of development. Florida will have to be careful though s last year’s JUCO transfer, Osayi Osifo, transferred to Jacksonville University after not playing sparsely.

Florida now has five new transfers on the team: Myreon Jones (Penn State), Phlandrous Fleming (Charleston Southern), guard Brandon McKissic (UMKC) and Felder (Boston College). Castleton is also a former transfer, coming over from Michigan prior to last season.

The Gators start the 2021-22 season on Nov. 9 against Elon.

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