Former Virginia Tech guard Jalen Hudson has found a new home.
Th3 6-foot-5 junior will join Mike White’s program at Florida, he announced Wednesday.
Hudson, who chose the Gators over Texas, averaged 8.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game last season for the Hokies. After sitting out the 2016-17 season, he’ll have two years of eligibility remaining in Gainesville.
“I think Florida gives me a great opportunity to perform at a high level,” Hudson told ESPN, “win at a high level and ultimately pursue my dreams in playing in the NBA.”
Hudson, who attended the same high school as LeBron James in Akron, was pursued by the likes of Arkansas, Dayton and Georges Mason before ultimately signing with the Hokes as part of their 2014 class.
The Gators don’t have much in the way of experience on the wing, so Hudson will help fill the position. Florida has already brought graduate transfer Canyon Barry in for next year. The 6-foot-6 College of Charleston graduate averaged 19.7 points in 12 games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the season.
Florida went 21-15 and won two games in the NIT in White’s first season replacing Billy Donovan.