By ADAM ZAGORIA
Alex Klatsky, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound shooting guard from the Ranney (NJ) School and Team Rio, committed to Florida on Tuesday as a preferred walk-on following his official visit last weekend.
Klatsky will be following in the footsteps of his father, Brian, who attended Florida.
“It has been my lifetime dream to be a Florida Gator,” Alex said. “Coach Mike White and his staff have done a tremendous job there and they feel that I can help their program out over the course of my career. Florida is somewhere I can thrive both athletically and academically, which ultimately led me to my decision. I can’t wait to get onto campus next year and contribute everything I can.”
Klatsky is the second player from Ranney and Team Rio to commit this month, following shooting guard Bryan Antoine’s commitment to Villanova a week ago.
Klatsky will now try to get 6-5 wing Scottie Lewis to come to Florida as well. Lewis took an official to Florida last weekend and is slated to take one to Kentucky this weekend.
“There’s nothing I’d like more than to play with Scottie in college,” Klatsky said.
Klatsky averaged 9 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists while shooting 43 percent from deep last season at Ranney.
“Alex will fit in well at Florida,” Ranney coach Tahj Holden said. “Shooting is at a premium at any level, and he does that about as well as anyone. At Florida, he will be surrounded by playmakers who he will help be better because defenses have to account for him because he can make shots. I’m happy for him and think he’ll be a welcomed addition to the University of Florida team and community.”
Said Rio and former Rutgers coach Mike Rice: “Alex Klatsky is an elite shooter who will bring valuable depth to the Florida program. He will also be an outstanding student-athlete who will take a leadership role off the floor as well. Great programs are always looking for winners both on and off the floor and Alex certainly fits into that category. ”
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