Suspended point guard Scottie Wilbekin is closer to returning to the Gators.
Wilbekin has been working out at UF’s practice facility away from the team, coach Billy Donovan told reporters Thursday night before his appearance at the Capital Area Gator Club in Tallahassee.
"Obviously, he was suspended for the summer. He’s still suspended right now," Donovan told USA Today. "He’s not part of our team. I do believe he will play, provided he does all of the things we’ve been asking him to do. He’s been really, really good up until this point in time. ... He’s very, very remorseful, and I think he’s disappointed in himself and letting the team down. Right now, he’s got to show and prove that he really wants to be here and be part of the team."
On Sunday, Wilbekin posted on his Twitter account (@scottiew_5): "Made some much needed changes in my life the last 2 months..."
Florida indefinitely suspended Wilbekin, the teams’ starting point guard in 2012-13, on June 10 for the second time in about seven months for violating team rules. He averaged 9.1 points and five assists per game last season.
If Wilbekin were to return before or during the regular season, he would augment a Gators backcourt in flux. The only natural point guard currently active on the 2013-14 roster is five-star freshman point guard Kasey Hill.
Carter close to receiving eligibility: Rutgers transfer guard Eli Carter is expected to receive a waiver to play immediately for the Gators, an NCAA source told SNY.tv on Wednesday.
Following the Rutgers scandal that led to the firing of coach Mike Rice, the NCAA has granted waivers to Derrick Randall, Vincent Garrett and Mike Poole to play immediately at Pittsburgh, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Iona, respectively.
Even if Carter is granted eligibility for the 2013-14 season, Donovan said the 6-foot-2 combo guard still has not been medically cleared to play. Carter suffered a season-ending fractured right fibula while playing for the Scarlet Knights in February.
"I haven’t heard anything yet," Donovan said. "The family has to be involved, so the family is dealing with Rutgers. We’re really not involved as an institution. We’ve kind of tried to help direct Eli and his family on the proper channels to go through, but they’ve got to kind of do it on their own for the appeal."
No update on Walker: Five-star freshman forward Chris Walker is still not on UF’s 2013-14 roster or enrolled in fall classes, Donovan confirmed to reporters before declining further comment.
Walker, who is dealing with academic eligibility issues, has until Tuesday to enroll for fall classes before UF’s drop/add period ends. If he misses the deadline, he cannot enroll or play at Florida until December.
Yeguete healing: Donovan said he is unsure whether senior forward Will Yeguete (right knee) will return to the team before training camp.
"He’s running and shooting and doing those things," Donovan said, "but he’s still got a ways to go before he’s cleared to play."
Yeguete underwent arthroscopic debridement on his knee on May 22 at Shands to remove damaged cartilage. He averaged 5.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game off the bench in 2012-13.
Follow Landon Watnick on Twitter @LandonWatnick.
Scottie Wilbekin dribbles down the court during Florida’s 101-71 victory against Nebraska-Kearney on Nov. 1.
