Harry Fodder: Decision time nearing for Castleton - Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The countdown is inside two weeks. That's when Florida coach Mike White, his staff and reconfigured 2021-22 roster will know — officially — the depth situation at the the low-post position. 

Specifically, if 6-foot-11, 245-pound Colin Castleton will return to the Gators for a second season. 

Castleton, the senior from Deland, Fla., entered the NBA's underclassmen evaluation process in the spring and has spent the last couple months mostly training in Las Vegas. By hiring an NCAA-certified agent, Castleton has the option to return to school, with the deadline to pull his name off the draft-eligible list looming July 7. 

"I wouldn't say I'm leaning either way. I'm still open," Castleton said earlier this week. "I'm really still focused on these next few days and leaving my best impression on these NBA guys. Whatever I decide, I think it will turn out great." 

Though disappointed he was not invited either to the NBA or G League combines — "Another reason to have a chip on my shoulder," he said — Castleton has remained committed to the process and maintained a positive attitude. Thus far, he's had individual workouts with Memphis, Milwaukee and Minnesota, with his final trip scheduled next week for Cleveland. 

Along the way, teams have provided him with valuable feedback as to the elements of his game that require the most attention. He needs to get stronger. They want to see his footwork improve and thus show he can guard multiple positions. And, of course, as a big man in this ever-evolving era of position-less basketball, Castleton needs to show them he can shoot the basketball and thus stretch the floor. 

None of these would seem to be unreasonable suggestions, especially for a player who demonstrated during '20-21 his ability to make huge improvements. Remember, Castleton transferred to Florida from Michigan after averaging just 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds while playing a limited role for the Wolverines. With the Gators, he beat out sophomore Omar Payne for the starting "5" spot and averaged 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting just shy of 60 percent from the floor and 78 from the free throw line on his way to second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors. He also blocked 2.4 shots per game, which ranked second in the league.

Colin Castleton's 2.4 blocks per game ranked second in the SEC last season. 

"It's not like I'm recalibrating my game, but I'm also not worrying about what I've done thus far in college," said Castleton, who twice last season was named the SEC Player of the Week. "I've always been branded as a non-shooter, but I know what I'm capable of and I'm putting the work in. That's one thing I do; I always put the work in." 

His daily regimen, which includes two basketball workouts sandwiched around a strength-and-conditioning session, features a multitude of 3-point shooting drills. In fact, all three of his NBA workouts have ended with 100 3-point shots. Tired legs and all. 

Castleton, who attempted just one 3 all last season (missed), dropped better than 60 each time. 

"I already feel like a different player," he said. "I had a good year last year and did some great things, but there also were things I wasn't happy about, personally, that I wasn't able to do; things that could have helped the team and helped us go further."

Two weeks ago, the Gators' four incoming transfer players arrived and began working out both on the floor and in the weight room. Monday marks the start of the Summer "B" semester, meaning all players, including UF's five scholarship returnees, will be on the floor together for the first time.

Castleton won't be there, obviously, leaving UF with just one true low-post player in seldom-used 6-11, 300-pound junior Jason Jitoboh. To reiterate, he has in no way ruled out coming back. In fact, Castleton has heard good things about his potential new teammates and will be excited to be in the middle of the Florida makeover, if that's the way his decision falls. 

And if it does?

"You'll definitely see a difference," he said. "I definitely feel more athletic. My legs feel stronger. I haven changed much [muscle] tone, but I think the workouts have helped me with explosiveness which will help me run the floor, catch lobs and block shots — all the things these [NBA] guys want to see."

All things Gators (coaches, players, fans) want to see, as well. 

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Harry Fodder: Decision time nearing for Castleton - Florida Gators
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