Chandler Parsons has traded in his buzz cut for a mop top - a new look for a player looking for a fresh start.
The 6-foot-9 swingman will take the floor for Florida this year without longtime friend and teammate Nick Calathes for the first time since high school.
Between the seemingly endless onslaught of questions during the team's media day about his haircut - or apparent lack thereof - and his former roommate, Parsons noted that losing Calathes and adding some extra hair won't change his personality or performance on the court.
"I'm not going to do anything different. I'm not going to force any shots or say I'm going to go out there and get 30 a game just because he's gone now," Parsons said. "I've just got to stay confident, and with or without Nick, I'm going to continue to play my game."
Parsons showed occasional flashes of brilliance last season, particularly at Vanderbilt on Jan. 25, when he scored 27 points on 7-of-8 shooting from 3-point range and led the team with eight rebounds.
But his up-and-down play throughout his first two years has been cause for concern, ultimately leading to him losing his starting spot to guard Erving Walker in the postseason.
"Hopefully this year I can be a more consistent shooter because I haven't been happy with the way I've been shooting the last two years, obviously," he said.
Parsons finished his sophomore season fourth on the team in scoring (9.2 points per game) while shooting 46 percent from the field, 30.1 percent from beyond the arc and an abysmal 55.7 percent from the free throw line.
At one point last year, Parsons' struggles at the line cost the Gators a win.
Up 69-68 at South Carolina with 2 seconds left, the then-sophomore clanged the front end of a one-and-one off the front of the rim, allowing the Gamecocks to heave the ball down the court for the game-winning layup.
During individual workouts with UF coach Billy Donovan, Parsons devoted a lot of time to fixing his shot.
"He'll put the tape on me, and he'll feel like sometimes I fade away, sometimes I'll release it on the bottom of my shot," Parsons said. "Little things like that I can correct."
Parsons added that he has been shooting well this summer, and he's eager to see if the offseason training pays off in a game situation.
In his junior season, Parsons might have to take on more responsibilities in the backcourt. Donovan said Parsons or forward Dan Werner could potentially even move to the point guard spot to make up for the lack of depth at the position.
"With Werner and Parsons - because of their size and their ability to pass the ball and handle it pretty well - that at least gives me some semblance of comfort that we can slide one of those guys back there," Donovan said. "That's not ideal for us, but it can hopefully help at least eliminate a potential problem."
Fortunately, Parsons isn't entirely unfamiliar with the position Calathes played for UF the last two years.
"When I was younger, before I hit my spurt, I played point guard. I don't have trouble handling the ball," Parsons said. "In pressure situations, I'd love to be back there. I'd love to play the point."
