USA - Gators snap up international prospects

GAINESVILLE (NCAA) - Florida will have a new international look to its team from next year.

After winning back-to-back national titles with a team led by Joakim Noah, the Gators are looking to the French-Cameroonian connection once again after securing a commitment from center Kenny Kadji.

Kadji, who is listed as 6ft 10in and 240 pounds, has spent the last two years in Florida, playing at the IMG Academy and the Pendleton School in Bradenton, as well as for the Florida Rams in the AAU. He came to the United States from Paris two years ago, but is originally from Douala, where his father runs an athletic academy.

Kadji played for Team Africa at the 2007 adidas Basketball Experience.

The Gators also have a commitment from forward Eloy Vargas, who was born in Moca in the the Dominican Republic. Vargas averaged 21.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game playing for American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida last year.

Both players are rated as five-star prospects by recruiting website rivals.com.

They pair make up part of a five-strong recruiting class rated as the best in the Southeastern Conference and among the top five in the nation.

Also heading to Gainesville next year will be forward Allan Cheney, and guards Ray Shipman and Erving Walker.

“We’re very excited about this year’s recruiting class,” said Florida coach Billy Donovan. “We felt like we had to address some areas with the early departures we had last year, and were able to do that with some size in the frontcourt, while adding quality players to the backcourt and perimeter as well.”

The Gators lost Noah, Corey Brewer and Al Horford this season after all three made early jumps to the NBA.

FIBA