PF EJ Jarvis Taking Personal Leave From Florida Basketball

EJ Jarvis transferred to the University of Florida from Yale this offseason.

Gators forward EJ Jarvis, who transferred into the program from Yale this offseason, is stepping away from the team due to personal reasons, Florida head coach Todd Golden said during a media availability on Tuesday. 

Golden confirmed Jarvis' absence following the unit’s first official preseason practice of the year on Monday, where the Washington, D.C., native was notably missing.

The timeline for his return is unknown. 

Jarvis was the first player to join the Gators amid an extensive roster rebuild following Todd Golden’s first year in Gainesville. 

The talented stretch-four prospect pledged to the staff on March 31, becoming the first of six transfers and nine total player personnel additions this offseason.

Standing at 6-foot-8, the former Yale Bulldog was brought in to provide valuable minutes as a lengthy, uber-athletic two-way power forward for the Gators during the 2023-24 season. His prowess as a rebounder, namely — accounting for 5.5 per game a season ago in the Ivy League to pair with an average of 11.3 points — is expected to aid Florida in reconciling its effort in the glass after producing as the worst rebounding team in SEC a season ago.

During his absence, and the aforementioned uncertainty regarding the timeline for his return, Florida will look to fellow newcomers Micah Handlogten, Tyrese Samuel, Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh to control time at the four spot.

Condon, specifically, has surpassed expectations since arriving on campus from Australia in May. The Gators are expected to deploy the freshman in abundance at the four and five spots this season, providing Florida the luxury of depth during Jarvis’ time away and upon his eventual return.

The lone returning frontcourt member Aleks Szymczyk will also provide depth at the position after returning from a broken foot he suffered on Aug. 29. Following surgery, Szymczyk was given a timeline of 10-12 weeks before rejoining the mix. 

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