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Former Gator star Augie Greiner passes away

Posted by admin on August 8th, 2010 No Comment

Augie Greiner was known for more than just a fantastic basketball player. He was a tremendous guy and also right-hand man of head coach Billy Donovan.

A source close to Gator Sports Nation reported that Greiner passed away Saturday night after suffering from a long illness.

There wasn’t any other man like him. He was a big supporter for the Gator basketball team and was the founder of Greiner’s clothing store in both Ocala and Tampa. Everybody loved him, he was so friendly and kind to any person he would ever talk to.

Greiner was one of the first friends of Donovan when he got the coaching job at Florida. Here is a quote Billy had to say about Greiner back in 2006 during a Ocala Gator tip-off Club.

“I’m very thankful that there is somebody like this that has been able to put together a club and a group that started from nothing that built into the situation that it is,” said Donovan. “He’s the leader, he’s the one that takes charge.”

Greiner spent four years playing for the Gators (1953-1956).

He brought a lot to the Ocala area and will be truly missed. I send my prayers to the Greiner family.

Gator Sports Nation will release any other information on Greiner if available.

[Here is a couple of photos, the first a picture of Greiner from the 50's and the second one was gathered by Gator Country.com of Augie Greiner and Billy Donovan.]

Courtesy of gatorcountry.com

2012 PG Arcidiacono has Florida in his top 5

Posted by admin on August 2nd, 2010 No Comment

Ryan Arcidiacono, a four-star point guard out of Langhorne, Pa. told Gator Sports Nation that he has Florida in his top five along with Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Boston College and Georgia Tech.

Arcidicono, a 6’3 190 pound junior at Neshaminy High School, recently played in a two day event at the West Virginia Jam Fest where Billy Donovan flew up and sat in the first row to see him play. Arcidicono told rivals that he had a little bit of butterflies when he knew coach Donovan was sitting there watching.

“The first four out of six possessions, I probably turned it over or missed a shot,” Arcidicono told rivals.com. “I struggled shooting that tournament, but I probably still had 12 points, five or six rebounds and six assists. It was a good game.”

When Arcidicono received a offer over the phone from Florida, he was pretty much in shock.

“My first reaction was just, ‘Wow, all the hard work has paid off right now,’” he said. “It was a great feeling.”

I asked Ryan if he had visited yet and he said he took an unofficial one when it was just him and a coach of his who drove up to Gainesville when they were in Orlando for an event. He said Florida has a crazy football and basketball stadium.

Arcidiacono still has a lot of high school left and plenty of time to decide where he wants to play ball at the next level, but we know now that Florida is in his top choices which is a good sign. He also spoke about how he still has to go out and explore other schools before he makes a decision. Another school he has interest in is Villanova but they have not offered him anything just yet.

Here is a short video clip of Arcidiacono. He can shoot the lights out.

Jason Williams the next Gator Alum to join Heat?

Posted by Gene Elliott on July 21st, 2010 No Comment

Mike Miller is pulling a Dwayne Wade, he is recruiting players for the revamped Miami Heat. Miller who just signed a five-year deal at 25 million dollars, is recruiting Jason Williams from the Orlando Magic to join him in Miami. Williams, who is a free agent, is taking offers from at least three other teams including Orlando at this time. His first stint with Miami produced an NBA Championship in 2006.

If Jason Williams does join the Heat, it would make the third Florida Gator on the roster joining Miller and Udonis Haslem, who recently resigned for another three years.

Matt Bonner Signs on Dotted Line With Spurs

Posted by Justin Yerina on July 14th, 2010 No Comment

Former Gator forward, Matt Bonner signed a four year deal with the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. The Spurs value Bonner’s shooting touch, especially from beyond the three point line where he has made over 40% of his attempts in his career. According to Yahoo! Sports, the deal will be worth $16 million.

After being drafted in the second round of the NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls in 2003, Bonner was subsequently traded to the Toronto Raptors where he averaged 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds as a rookie. Bonner would spend only one more season with the Raptors before bringing his soft shooting touch to Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.

Matt has apparently found his niche in San Antonio where he has been rewarded for his efforts with his newly inked 4 year, $16 million deal.

* Statistics and contract info gathered via Yahoo! Sports *

Update: Mike Miller Signs Five Year Deal

Posted by Justin Yerina on July 12th, 2010 No Comment

*Update*

According to the Miami Herald, Miller has signed a five year deal to join the Heat, though the specific terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed.

On the same day that Udonis Haslem signed a 5 year contract to join the NBA’s newest “Big Three”, fellow Gator Alumni, Mike Miller decided to follow his close friend and join the force that is the Miami Heat. According to ESPN.com, Miller will also sign a 5 year contract with the Heat at any time. Arn Tellem, who represents Miller, confirmed his client’s intent to sign with the Heat via his blog while oddly comparing Miller to the Beatles’ Ringo Star.

Apparently, the two former Gators were in close contact regarding their decision to join forces with the other stars on Miami’s roster. Regarding the opportunity to play with Miller, Haslem has been reported by ESPN saying, “Nothing else for me to consider. That’s my boy from day one.”

During the 2009-10 NBA season, Miller averaged a respectable 10.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game to go along with a nearly 50% shooting percentage from behind the three point line for the Washington Wizards.

Both Haslem and Miller will likely come off the bench for the Heat during the upcoming season. The two former Gators will look to achieve something that alluded them at Florida; a championship.

Udonis Haslem returns to Miami

Posted by admin on July 12th, 2010 1 Comment

Well, it is official. Former Gator Udonis Haslem has declined free agent offers so he could sign back with the Heat for 5 years worth near $20 million, which is more than $10 million less he could have received on his check if he would of took the offers from the Dallas Mavericks and the Nuggets. It shows you that Haslem isn’t playing just for the money, but for the passion and love of the game. Yet again, the decision of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to sign with the Heat has a lot to do with it I bet you that. But Haslem has Florida all in his blood. From being born in Miami and playing high school ball there, to playing for the Florida Gators and then for the Heat back in his hometown. He even has a tattoo of the state of Florida covering his whole entire back. How could you possibly play for another team if you have that much love and pride for your hometown?

“I would be changing my DNA if I left just for money,” Haslem said. [ESPN Reported]

Marc Stein stated that Haslem sent in an email to South Florida Sun-Sentinel that said; “Turned down full mid level from Dallas and Denver. See u next season.”

Haslem was wanted by the Nets as well. He had seen great offers from several teams wanting to sign him, but money wasn’t everything to him. The Nuggets wanted to give him a huge offer, bigger than any other team was going to give Haslem because of the injuries of Kenyon Martin and Chris “Birdman” Andersen who both recently had surgery that will keep them out for the season.

Haslem, who just turned 30 this past June, earned a total of $7.1 million last season with the Heat. He averaged 10 points and 8 boards each game during his career. He also was a huge contribute to the Heats 2006 NBA Championship, the same year Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators won the NCAA title.

“It’s good to be back,” Haslem said.

[Quotes gathered by Marc Stein.. NBA writer for ESPN]

Former Gator David Lee Traded to Golden State

Posted by Justin Yerina on July 9th, 2010 No Comment

Former Florida Gator standout forward David Lee is no longer an NBA free agent. In perhaps the most anticipated summer in NBA history, Lee became the quiet prize of the free agent market for the Golden State Warriors.

Lee starred for the Gators basketball team for three seasons which culminated in his junior season when he would average 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. After his successful college career, Lee moved on to the NBA, where he would be drafted in the first round (30^th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.

For the Knicks, Lee has average 13 points and 9.6 boards per game in a career in which he has improved on his numbers in each season. In 2009-10, Lee put together his best season to date with a league leading 65 double doubles to go along with 20.2 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

Lee entered this summer’s historic free agency period as the number 4 forward on the market. In most other off seasons, Lee would have easily been the most prized free agent of them all. On the first day players were permitted to officially sign deals with their new teams, Lee agreed to Join Baron Davis and the Golden State Warriors. In order to get the maximum contract for himself and a fair return in value for the Knicks, the three parties agreed to a sign-and-trade between the two teams. The Knicks first signed Lee to a six-year, $80 million contract then sent him to the Warriors. In the trade, Golden State will send forwards Ronny Turiaf, Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike and a 2012 second round pick to New York.

David Lee hopes to be one of the cornerstones of a young Golden State team trying to get back to the playoffs and compete for relevance in the Western Conference.

Tyler Surber receives honor at Billy Donovan camp

Posted by Staff Writers on July 8th, 2010 No Comment

Tyler Surber, younger brother of Brandon [owner/writer of Gator Sports Nation] participated in the Billy Donovan basketball camp in Gainesville and returned home with something he will never forget.

The 5-foot-4 thirteen year old guard from Ocala, FL., plays for Coach Greg at Lake Weir Middle School. Tyler is the son of the head basketball coach over at Lake Weir Weir High School, Mike Surber.

Tyler won the Caleb Jacobbe Award that was handed out by Billy Donovan, and for you all who does not know what the award is about, Caleb’s pitch was founded by a faculty member of the University of Florida named Tim Jacobbe, so he could honor his nephew Caleb Jacobbe who was 8 years old when he passed away from cancer on May 10, 2006. That was when coach Donovan decided to name the award after Caleb.

The cause for Caleb’s Pitch is to help the sick kids out there realize their dreams and also have their lives touched by their favorite athletes.

“My experience at the camp was awesome. I really enjoyed playing, Tyler said. Before it started when my mom was down visiting us I had to beg her and my dad for a little bit of money so I could go. It was a lot of fun and I played a whole bunch of basketball.”

The camp was held for 3 days over night, all of the campers got to stay in their own dorms with their friends. Tyler attended the camp and also roomed with his neighbor Michael Meginley.

“It kind of felt like I was in college haha”, Tyler said.

The Caleb Jacobbe award was given to the camper of the week who shows the most heart, hustle, sportsmanship and passion for the game of basketball. There were around 400 campers who attended and was divided up between three different age groups and one winner was chosen from each one.

Below you will see a video of Tyler’s basketball highlights from his 7th grade year and the other video is being filmed at the award ceremony of the campers by Billy Donovan. Right around 3:14 in the second video is when Donovan announces Tyler’s name and he is brought up to the front.