Kadji leaving changes the dynamics for UF hoops recruiting class

With Kenny Kadji electing to transfer from the University of Florida, one more scholarship has been freed up, changing the dynamics of Florida's 2011 recruiting class. With Mike Rosario sitting out due to transfer rules and Bradley Beal (6-4, 190, St. Louis, MO Chaminade Prep) solidly committed, the Gators now have room for three more in the class. Ideally, the Gators would take one big, one long wing and one combo guard, but the versatility of Dorian Finney-Smith (6-8, 185, Portsmouth, VA IC Norcum) could change that equation.

Finney-Smith, who is playing with Boo Williams Summer League at the AAU Nationals in Lake Buena Vista, is the most versatile player in the country. He plays the point on offense for his high school team and when he does a turn with BWSL as the lead guard, the offense simply takes off. Defensively, he can play either the small or power forward and despite his skinny frame, he's a terrific rebounder and doesn't get pushed around.

Finney-Smith has seven or eight schools on his radar but insiders say it's a decision that will come down to Virginia Tech and Florida. In Virginia Tech's favor is that Finney-Smith is a Virginian. In Florida's favor is the fact that Finney-Smith and his older brother (who plays at Old Dominion) are long time pals of Gator center Vernon Macklin.

If Finney-Smith chose to be a Gator, UF could still elect to take a long wing such as Adonis Thomas (6-6, 211, Memphis, TN Melrose) or Sam Thompson (6-7, 190, Chicago, IL Whitney Young). Thomas is a take it to the rack wing who can take the contact, finish and get the free throws. Thompson is the best wing defender in the country not to mention the best leaper (50 inch vertical). Thomas has Florida, Memphis, Arkansas and Mississippi State on his radar. Thompson has it down to Florida, Oregon State, Ohio State, Kansas and Georgetown.

The combo guard that the Gators have been following closely is Kedren Johnson (6-4, 215, Lewisburg, TN Marshall County). He's got a streaky outside game but he handles, distributes and plays lights out on the defensive end. 

With Cody Zeller (6-10, 210, Warsaw, IN) more or less out of the Florida picture (he's pretty much down to Indiana, Butler and North Carolina), Florida's big man recruiting efforts center around these four: Johnny O'Bryant (6-10, 248, Cleveland, MS), Rakeem Christmas (6-9, 225, Philadelphia, PA Academy of the New Church), Mikael Hopkins (6-9, 215, Hyattsville, MD DeMatha Catholic) and Amir Williams (6-10, 225, Beverly Hills, MI Detroit Country Day).

O'Bryant and Adonis Thomas are determined to play together in college. The one school they seem to agree on is Florida so it is a distinct possibility the Gators could come up big with this dynamic duo.

Florida was the first to offer Christmas, who also has Texas, Oklahoma and FIU on his radar with Kentucky trying to elbow its way in. 

Florida trails Syracuse and Maryland for Hopkins and the Gators are having to make up an incredible amount of ground with Williams, who was once thought to be a lock for Michigan or Michigan State.