Florida in the mix for UT-Chattanooga transfer forward

Florida men’s basketball coach Todd Golden has his eyes on the transfer portal for pieces that can make the Gators better next season, and UT-Chattanooga forward Sam Alexis’ entry into the portal last week did not go unnoticed.

Alexis averaged 10.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks as a sophomore and is ranked No. 28 overall among players in the transfer portal by On3. The 6-foot-9-inch forward is still fielding offers and figuring out a travel schedule.

“They have Tyrese Samuel leaving, and they talking about how I can come in and fill that spot, do the things he does,” Alexis said of Florida to On3. “And I can see that, we have some similar games, but I am a better shooter.”

Is Florida a good fit for Alexis?

Alexis has very specific criteria for his next home. He needs to fit on the roster and does not want to lose the family vibe the coaching staff in Chattanooga has cultivated.

“I want to go to a school that has the right style of play. A coach who plays some five-out, pick-and-pop, dribble hand offs. Where they play through the big and they let the big man make decisions.”‘

Alexis says he doesn’t want to be the first name to commit to a program, so Florida will likely need another domino to fall before locking in Samuel’s replacement for next year.

There’s draft potential in Alexis, and Todd Golden has treated his bigs well in Gainesville. This could be a match to keep following.

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