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Wednesday, May 01, 2024

The film haunts Chandler Parsons.

As a lanky, 6-foot-9, 190-pound freshman, he was far from prepared for the physicality of college basketball.

As the tape rolls, the horrific memories come flooding back.

"Just watching (Tennessee's) J.P. Prince go by me makes my stomach hurt," he said.

While Parsons excelled on the offensive end of the court, averaging 8.1 points per game, his lack of size caused problems defensively.

UF ranked No. 8 in the Southeastern Conference last year in rebounding margin and second to last in defensive field goal percentage.

UF coach Billy Donovan said his team, comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores, looked like a "mature high school team."

No one may have exemplified that sentiment more than Parsons. It was a deficiency he knew had to be overcome.

"I've been thinking about it since last year ended," Parsons said. "I definitely had to step up my weight training."

So the sophomore spent the off-season in Gainesville lifting, curling and squatting his way to a new body - and a new swagger.

Parsons has bulked up to a toned 220 pounds.

His bench press has gone from 135 pounds to a steadily increasing 205.

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"I learned last year that it's a physical game," he said. "The SEC is completely different than high school."

When asked how the added weight has impacted his game on the court, he answers simply.

"Totally different player," Parsons said.

Parsons has changed - all the way down to his newly grown goatee.

"I have a lot of confidence right now," he said.

Parsons said he has become a much stronger rebounder and that he no longer has problems finishing plays after getting fouled.

Donovan said he hopes a much tougher Parsons will go a long way in solidifying the Gators' frontcourt.

A rebuilt Parsons also opens up a new world of possibilities for the Gators' lineup this season.

"We can go as big as me at the two or as small as me at the five," he said.

Last year, Parsons was only in Gainesville for the summer B session and said that he didn't take full advantage of the team's strength and conditioning program.

This year, he practically lived in the gym, working out four days a week.

After spending the entire summer at UF with his teammates, Parsons said he feels like he has become one of the team's leaders.

"Even though we're only sophomores, that's old on this team," He said. "We're veterans. A lot of guys look up to us now."

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