Standing at an imposing 6-foot-10, 240 pounds, Georgetown transfer Vernon Macklin appears to be the perfect replacement for the NBA-departed Marreese Speights.
However, the Gators' most experienced big man will spend this season on the bench, as Macklin is not eligible to play this year due to NCAA transfer rules.
But you shouldn't overlook the role the Big East-tested junior will have on the team.
Macklin, a former McDonald's All-American, spent the last two years backing up first-round NBA Draft picks Roy Hibbert and Jeff Green.
UF coach Billy Donovan said that experience puts Macklin in the position to help the platoon of freshman forwards who will be on the court this season.
"They're getting a chance to see size, strength, maturity, physicality - what a guy in the SEC is going to look like," Donovan said.
Freshmen Kenny Kadji, Allan Chaney and Eloy Vargas will all vie for playing time in the frontcourt.
Donovan isn't sure whether his trio of baby-faced, big men will be ready for the physicality of the college game.
That's where Macklin and his NBA-ready body come into the picture.
"For young guys coming out of high school, for them to be playing against just each other is not good enough because the only experience they have is their high school experience," Donovan said. "(Macklin) gives them a taste."
It's only been three days of practice, but Kadji has already felt the effects of banging with Big Mack.
"He's good," Kadji said, shaking his head in a sign of respect. "I'm getting better every day from being around him."
Donovan has also noticed the impact Macklin has had on Kadji.
"It's been good for Kadji to play against him - just because of his athleticism and size and strength," Donovan said.
Macklin said being the mentor is a role he is more than willing to play this season.
"I can talk to them because I've been through it," he said. "Having gone in behind Roy and Jeff, I can tell them how college basketball is, and what they need to do to get better."
In his two years at Georgetown, Macklin played in 65 games but was only able to average 11.4 minutes a game.
He was one of John Thompson III's first high-profile recruits as Georgetown's coach of the Hoyas.
Macklin, who was given the nickname "Big Ticket" at the age of 14 because of comparisons to NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett, had the best game of his Georgetown career against St. Johns last season when he scored 18 points in 26 minutes.
Macklin said he decided to transfer to UF because it was the school that best fit his active style of play.
While the big man is happy to serve as tutor for now, he hasn't forgotten why he came to Gainesville.
"There's a lot of learning I have to do," he said. "I'm going to do a lot this year."
INJURY UPDATE: Sophomore guard Nick Calathes returned to practice this week after missing more than a month with an injured groin. He said he is still being careful with the injury and only participated in about 75 percent of the team's drills.
Macklin suffered what appeared to be a sprained ankle in practice over the weekend, but Donovan said the injury does not appear to be serious.
