A week after Florida granted his release to transfer, forward DeVon Walker had a change of heart.
Walker will return to the Gators and has enrolled in summer classes in Gainesville, the school announced Monday.
“Florida is such a great place, and the more I thought about it, I just realized this is where I want to be,” Walker said in a release. “The coaching staff has helped me get better on and off the court over the past year and I really enjoy being around my teammates, so I’m excited to refocus on my future here in Gainesville.”
Coach Billy Donovan added in a release: “We always encourage guys to do what they feel is best for their future, and we’re glad that DeVon will be continuing with us here at Florida.”
Walker arrived at Florida in 2012 as the No. 142 recruit and No. 31 small forward in his class, according to Rivals.com. But the Winter Haven native rarely saw playing time outside the final minutes of routs during his freshman season.
The 6-foot-6, 191-pound Walker scored 20 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, blocked four shots and averaged four minutes in 25 contests during his freshman season.
Walker will compete with center Patric Young, senior forwards Will Yeguete and Casey Prather, transfers Dorian Finney-Smith and Damontre Harris and five-star recruit Chris Walker for playing time next season.
His decision to return puts Florida at 12 scholarship players – one below the NCAA maximum.
Ogbueze to Charlotte: Former Florida point guard Braxton Ogbueze – a Charlotte, N.C., native – announced his decision on Monday to transfer to UNC Charlotte.
Ogbueze will sit out a year, per NCAA transfer rules. He will have three years of eligibility starting the 2014-15 season and will enroll in summer classes at UNCC starting May 20.
“Definitely being closer to home – that was a big deal for me,” Ogbueze said. “Not only that, but going to a program that believes in and supports me.”
“From Day 1, coach (Alan) Major, (assistant) coach (Ryan) Odom, ... (assistant) coach (Desmond) Oliver, (assistant) coach (Orlando) Vandross – they’re familiar with my game and they know I can play. That’s just a great, great fit for me.”
Ogbueze also considered Murray State. He visited the UNC Charlotte campus with his mother last week.
Charlotte originally recruited Braxton out of high school.
“It’s closer to home. It’s convenient for him,” said Klem Ogbueze, Braxton’s older brother. “Also, he’s playing for a program and a coach that really believes in him and wants to develop him as a player. Not only as a player, but as a person years after playing basketball. We felt like it was a good fit for him.
“The school isn’t too far from the house. Now we could see him play more often.”
Klem attended UNC Charlotte from 2007-2011. Braxton’s older sister, Ana Ogbueze, also attended UNCC.
Ogbueze was granted his release from Florida on May 1, a decision that also stemmed from a lack of playing time.
He arrived at Florida as the No. 14 point guard and No. 78 overall player in the 2012 class, according to Rivals.com. But the 6-foot guard rarely saw the court during his freshman season, averaging 4.7 minutes and scoring 19 points on 31.8 percent shooting in 23 contests.
Rutgers transfer guard Eli Carter announced his intent to transfer to UF a day before the school announced Ogbueze's decision, but Ogbueze said his departure from Florida had nothing to do with Carter or any incoming player.
“I've never been the type of player to back down from any competition,” Ogbueze said.
Contact Landon Watnick at lwatnick@alligator.org.
Freshman DeVon Walker runs down the court during Florida’s 83-52 win against Missouri on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center. Walker announced Monday he will return to Florida after asking for his release to transfer on May 6.
Guard Braxton Ogbueze #11 of the Florida Gators controls the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores March 6, 2013 at Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. Ogbueze will transfer to UNC Charlotte, where he will play under 49ers coach Alan Major.
