Rutgers transfer Eli Carter will see the floor for Florida this season.
The NCAA granted Carter’s waiver to play immediately, UF announced Monday morning.
In the wake of the Mike Rice player-abuse scandal, the NCAA was expected to rule in Carter’s favor.
Rutgers transfers Vincent Garrett (Wisconsin-Green Bay), Mike Poole (Iona) and Derrick Randall (Pittsburgh) have also been granted eligibility for the 2013-14 season.
A 6-foot-2, 200-pound combo guard, Carter specializes as a scorer and a slasher.
Last year at Rutgers, Carter was averaging a team-high 14.9 points per game on 38.4 percent shooting, but his season ended when he suffered a fractured right fibula against DePaul on Feb. 16.
He had successful surgery on his right leg Feb. 28 but is still waiting to be medically cleared by Florida.
In his two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Carter started 46 of 56 games.
“I’m really excited about him. He’s just a great kid,” center Patric Young said in May.
“He will come in and be able to get to the basket a lot better than our guards have been able to in the past and just change the whole dynamic of our team.”
Despite losing guards Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario — who were two of Florida’s top three scorers last season — to graduation, the Gators will have a deep backcourt in 2013-14 with the addition of Carter.
Florida returns sharp-shooting guard Michael Frazier II and adds five-star signee Kasey Hill, a speedy point guard who thrives as a distributor.
UF also brings back starting point guard Scottie Wilbekin, who was suspended indefinitely by the team during the summer.
The senior will likely serve a suspension to begin the season, but the number of games he will sit is unknown.
Wilbekin has started working out at UF’s basketball facility but away from the team, coach Billy Donovan said in August.
Carter announced his intention to transfer to UF on April 30 — less than a month after Rutgers fired Rice.
He is one of five new additions to this season’s roster, joining Hill, transfers Dorian Finney-Smith (Virginia Tech), Damontre Harris (South Carolina) and five-star freshman forward Chris Walker, who will miss at least the first month and a half of the season.
Walker has not enrolled at UF yet due to academic eligibility issues but hopes to be available by late December if he enrolls in time for the 2014 spring semester.
Florida opens its season at home against North Florida on Nov. 8.
Follow Landon Watnick on Twitter @LandonWatnick.
Former Rutgers guard Eli Carter attempts a layup during a 68-65 victory against George Washington University on Dec. 11, 2012.
