Highly Touted 2024 Small Forward Places Gators in Top 10
Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.) small forward VJ Edgecome, a highly coveted prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, named the Florida Gators to his top ten schools list on Sunday.
Edgecombe included UF alongside Alabama, Baylor, Duke, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, St. Johns, UConn and NBA G League Ignite as the narrowed options for the next step of his basketball career.
Ranked as the nation's No. 16 overall player and No. 5 small forward, Edgecombe saw his recruitment explode in February, with several powerhouse programs jumping into the process hoping to obtain his services.
The Gators, entering the fold in April, became one of 17 schools to offer the talented 6-foot-5, 180-pound wing since the turn of the year.
Possessing explosive athleticism as a highly effective asset on both ends of the floor at the prep level, the Nassau, Bahamas, native presents a valuable skillset for the next level. In Florida's attack specifically, Edgecombe would likely take on the role occupied by Will Richard in 2022-23 as a multi-level scoring threat offensively with the length defensively to win in man-to-man and disrupt passing lanes consistently.
As a result, despite the newly crowded affair, Todd Golden put his best foot forward since the initial scholarship offer extension in April. It proved enough to remain alive in the race for Edgecombe's eventual pledge with his first cut of prospective programs.
The Gators hold one commit, Orlando (Fla.) shooting guard Isaiah Brown, in the 2024 class. Golden and Co. look to add several pieces alongside Brown in the closing stages of the class.
Edgecombe and The Rock School (Gainesville) forward Ryan Jones Jr. seemingly align as UF's priority targets.
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