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Top-50 forward Omar Payne pledges to Florida

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Second Round - Virginia v Florida

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 18: Head coach Mike White of the Florida Gators reacts in the first half against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Amway Center on March 18, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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One of the nation’s top big men is going to be a Gator.

Top-50 prospect Omar Payne committed to Florida on Monday, he announced via social media.

“100 percent committed,” Payne wrote on Twitter. “Meet me at the swamp!”

The 6-foot-9 frontcourt player from Montverde Academy in Florida Payne picks the Gators over offers from the likes Florida State, Ohio State, Louisville and Auburn

“I’m headed to Florida,” Payne told 247Sports. “I picked them because I was the most comfortable with them.

“They recruited me hard. They have a great coaching staff. I really liked their recruiting class too and I’m looking forward to getting a national championship.”

Payne becomes the third member of coach Mike White’s 2019 class that also features five-star guard Tre Mann, who also hails from Florida.

“I know I can sit down with coach White and be comfortable and that really stuck out to me,” Payne told 247Sports. “What sticks out the most to me is he’s a young coach. He’s more understanding. He’s a great, understanding dude. He’s high-energy and works hard every day.”

The Gators went 21-13 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament last season after advancing to the Elite Eight the year prior in White’s second season in Gainesville.