Mike White bolsters Gators’ roster with recruits, transfer Anthony Duruji

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Former Louisiana Tech forward Anthony Duruji has officially transferred to Florida the same day coach Mike White added two more recruits to his best signing class.

Duruji filed necessary paperwork Wednesday and is expected to enroll at Florida this summer. The 6-foot-7 sophomore will have to sit out the 2019-20 season under NCAA transfer rules and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Duruji averaged 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds this past season. He had 85 blocked shots and 69 3-pointers in two years with the Bulldogs.

The Gators also landed guard Ques Glover and center Jason Jitoboh, who signed national letters of intent. They round out a freshman class that includes early signees Scottie Lewis, Tre Mann and Omar Payne. Lewis and Mann were named to the prestigious McDonald’s All-American team.

The 5-foot-11 Glover averaged 21 points and led Bearden (Tennessee) High to its first state championship as a senior.

The 6-foot-11 Jitoboh helped Hamilton Heights (Tennessee) Christian Academy to a 34-4 record and a top-25 finish in MaxPreps’ national rankings. The Nigerian averaged 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds on the Nike EYBL circuit in the summer of 2018.

The Gators hope to add one more before next season. Florida is recruiting Virginia Tech big man Kerry Blackshear Jr., who announced via Instagram on Tuesday that he is entering his name into the NBA draft while also exploring a transfer.

The 6-foot-10 Blackshear, a junior from nearby Orlando, averaged 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds this past season. He notched five double-doubles in the Hokies’ final 10 games, including 18 points, 16 rebounds and five assists in a loss to top-seeded Duke in the NCAA Tournament.

Wherever Blackshear ends up, he should be eligible to play right away as a graduate transfer.

Florida has been searching for help since three reserves decided to transfer days after the season ended with a second-round loss to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament.

Point guard Andrew Nembhard also entered the NBA draft without hiring an agent, leaving open the possibility of returning for his sophomore season.