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Transfer center will sit out upcoming season at Florida

John Egbunu, Austin Nichols, David Pellom

John Egbunu, Austin Nichols, David Pellom

AP

When former South Florida center John Egbunu made the decision to transfer to Florida, there was a sliver of hope that he would be granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA. However that won’t be happening, as Florida head coach Billy Donovan announced Thursday that Egbunu will have to sit out the 2014-15 campaign per NCAA transfer rules.

The 6-foot-11 Egbunu averaged 7.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest at USF, earning American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team honors. Had Egbunu been declared eligible to play he would have provided Florida with even more front court depth, with returnees such as Dorian Finney-Smith, Chris Walker and Jacob Kurtz being joined by transfers Alex Murphy and Jon Horford and freshman Devin Robinson in the current front court rotation.

Not having Egbunu available isn’t a major blow to Florida, provided their big men not be hit by the injury bug (or have major disciplinary issues), and it should help both parties in the long run. Egbunu can get better acquainted with Donovan’s system with designs on having a significant role in the Florida front court next year, and he can also help Florida’s eligible big men get prepared for the upcoming campaign.

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