In recent years Coach Donovan has done well with transfers. Mike Rosario just wrapped a successful career for the Gators, and last year Florida picked up two of the better guys on the market. Now they're back at it again, this time snaring Eli Carter who just finished his sophomore year at Rutgers.
Does Carter belong on the transfer A-list, like Donovan's previous pick ups?
Carter is a 6-2 combo guard who fractured his right fibula in February. Prior to that he was averaging 14.8 points per game (13.8 as a freshman). But – as is so common on the transfer market – he scored primarily through volume. He took 31% of the shots when he was on the floor, which was 3rd most in the Big East, and in the SEC would have only been fractions of a percentage behind Marshall Henderson.
Carter made 43% of his 2s and just 32% of his 3s, while 42% of his attempts came from behind the arc. The strength of his game is slashing and getting to the rim. He draws 5.4 fouls per 40 minutes (more than any Gator), and makes 86% of his FTs.
And while he has always had the reputation as being able to distribute the ball, it hasn't really carried over into games.
So it's fair to call him a combo guard, but he leans way more toward the 2 than the 1.
It will be interesting to see how Carter fits in. He should have a good case for a waiver to play immediately considering what's gone down at Rutgers. If he can play, he'll provide a valuable relief valve for freshman point guard Kasey Hill. Hill will most likely be the starter, which just leaves Scottie Wilbekin if Hill struggles. Carter would be another option in that case, assuming he can play immediately.
But what about that volume? Coach Donovan certainly doesn't want an inefficient player taking a high percentage of the shots. If he can get him focused, and hone Carter's game to his strengths then this will be a solid pick up. If not, there's going to be a lot of frustrating moments ahead.
