Antoinette Bannister never considered the Gators during her recruitment process.
The Jacksonville Potter’s House Christian Academy standout guard received scholarship offers from college basketball’s premier programs — Tennessee, Connecticut and Rutgers, among others — before verbally committing to North Carolina as a sophomore in high school in February 2010.
But Bannister reconsidered her decision to play for the Tar Heels after her mother fell ill in October.
After one semester with UNC, she decided to transfer to Florida and enrolled in classes on Friday.
Bannister will redshirt this season and become eligible to play the day after UF’s 2013 fall semester concludes.
"In October, I found out my mom was sick," Bannister said. "I had been battling with whether or not I wanted to be closer to home or stay at UNC, but after a lot of praying and talking to my family and teammates, they understand why I transferred."
Lurise Bannister, Antoinette’s mother, recently had ovarian surgery. Antoinette said her mother was doing well but wanted to be closer to her family and support Lurise through her ongoing health issues.
That moved Florida into consideration. Bannister also considered South Florida before choosing the Gators.
"UF had a scholarship for me right away," Bannister said.
"I know a lot about Florida. Just knowing coach (Amanda) Butler for years — I used to come to her camps — that’s what made me come here."
At Potter’s House, Bannister compiled one of the more impressive careers in the state of Florida.
As a junior, she averaged 27.2 points, 7.5 steals and 7.1 rebounds per game. She finished her career averaging more than 23 points and eight rebounds as a senior.
"She’s a very good player, especially on the offensive end," Butler said.
"She can handle it. She can pass it. She can really shoot it at a deep range. I think she brings a lot of intangibles."
Bannister was named a second-team USA Today All-America selection in high school.
HoopGurlz ranked her as the No. 59 prospect in the Class of 2012.
She was the fifth-ranked player from the state of Florida.
"Antoinette is used to playing at a championship level," Butler said.
"We’re just fortunate to be able to have a chance with her."
Bannister played eight games at North Carolina before opting to transfer, averaging 4.3 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in less than nine minutes of action.
She scored a career-best 13 points in 19 minutes in a 75-49 win against Coastal Carolina on Dec. 16 in Conway, S.C.
Moving forward, she will be a critical piece in Florida’s puzzle.
The Gators already have a commitment from Ronni Williams, the No. 13 high school prospect in the Class of 2013.
Butler hopes Bannister and Williams can strengthen Florida’s roster, one that is currently filled with promising young players.
"A really bright future," Butler said.
"I think we are going to have some of the best guards in the country."
Contact Phillip Heilman at pheilman@alligator.org.
Antoinette Bannister has decided to transfer from UNC to UF. She will be eligible to play following the Fall 2013 semester.
