Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida guard Chris Chiozza (11) puts up a last second 3-point shot to score the game-winning points against Wisconsin in overtime of an East Regional semifinal game of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 25, 2017, in New York. Florida won 84-83. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Point guard Chris Chiozza, Gators begin journey back to Elite Eight

By Jake Dreilinger | Nov. 12, 2017

Chris Chiozza waited for the inbound pass. The Gators trailed Wisconsin by two points in overtime of the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Four seconds remained as Florida’s odds of advancing to the Elite Eight dwindled. But none of that mattered as the Gators’ 6-foot guard received the pass and sprinted down the court.

A scoring run between the second and third quarters served as the catalyst the Gators’ offense needed as they ran away with the game, beating Georgia State 82-66.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators, Newbauer win big against Georgia State in season debut

By Morgan McMullen | Nov. 11, 2017

As halftime drew near, Sydney Searcy’s unofficial theme song began to play.

Nearly eight months after he was hired to replace ousted coach Amanda Butler, Cameron Newbauer is set to test his offensive game plan Saturday afternoon at 4 when the Gators women's basketball team takes on Georgia State at the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women’s basketball team has questions to confront ahead of season-opener

By Morgan McMullen | Nov. 10, 2017

Coach Cameron Newbauer runs practices in the same manner he wants to run his in-game offense: fast. Players are expected to hustle to and from every exercise. On fast-break drills, ball handlers make one quick pass to the outside and position themselves for a potential rebound.

UF forward Haley Lorenzen attempts a jump shot during Florida's 57-53 win against Arkansas on Feb. 9, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Going into final season, Lorenzen ready to school opponents while attending grad school

By Justin Ahlum | Nov. 8, 2017

In her three seasons at UF, Haley Lorenzen has seen improvements in her scoring, developed a three-point shot and been accepted into graduate school, studying in the sports management program.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Bradley Beal’s brawl and more: An early-season report on Gators in the NBA

By Benjamin Brandt | Nov. 7, 2017

Former Florida Gator Bradley Beal’s biggest moment so far this season came with the clock stopped. On Oct. 27, whistles sounded as players and referees charged toward the action underneath the basket.

With just five days until their season opener, Florida’s new women’s basketball coach Cameron Newbauer said the Gators are focusing on putting themselves first and getting better each day.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women’s basketball team heads into 2017-18 with a few new faces

By Justin Ahlum | Nov. 6, 2017

Cameron Newbauer sat courtside, decked out in Gators gear, as he watched his team warm up. With just five days until their season opener, Florida’s new women’s basketball coach said the Gators are focusing on putting themselves first and getting better each day.

Florida center Kevarrius Hayes attempts to block a shot in Florida's 65-39 win over Virginia in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in Orlando.

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Gators thrash Tampa in O’Dome for preseason victory

By Jake Dreilinger | Nov. 5, 2017

Tampa guard Pat Bacon drove to the basket midway through the first half only to have his shot swatted away by a towering Kevarrius Hayes into the hands of Keith Stone.

UF guard KeVaughn Allen had 17 points and a game-high six assists in Florida's 88-47 exhibition win against Jacksonville on Thursday in Jacksonville at the Swisher Gymnasium.

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Gators flash their potential in exhibition win

By Skyler Lebron | Nov. 2, 2017

In the thick of the first half, Kevarrius Hayes sent a Jacksonville shot back and into the hands of KeVaughn Allen.

White said he’s going to play everyone in the exhibition game against Jacksonville, hoping to use this opportunity to evaluate how well certain players mesh with each other and how they handle different scenarios. “There are still decisions to be made on how much different stuff we try out offensively and defensively,” White said. “I’m sure a lot of folks will play.”

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators trying to shed inexperience in exhibition game against Jacksonville

By Jake Dreilinger | Nov. 1, 2017

One year after making it to the Elite Eight, Gators coach Mike White isn’t convinced his new team deserves a No. 8 ranking in the AP preseason poll.

With John Egbunu and Gorjok Gak recovering from injury, Kevarrius Hayes is ready to lead Florida basketball's "thin" front court.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Kevarrius Hayes tasked with leading a ‘thin’ Florida front court

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 17, 2017

When redshirt senior John Egbunu tore his ACL in Florida’s 114-95 win at Auburn last season, Florida men’s basketball coach Mike White turned to Kevarrius Hayes to keep the front court afloat.

New women's basketball coach Cam Newbauer spoke to the media on Tuesday for the second time since he was hired nearly six months ago.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women’s basketball notebook: Gators beginning to sort out roster

By Morgan McMullen | Oct. 17, 2017

Just two weeks into his team’s practice schedule, women’s basketball coach Cameron Newbauer is still unsure of where exactly his players will be on the court, let alone who the starters will be.

UF guard Delicia Washington looks to pass during Florida's 84-75 loss to Ole Miss on Feb. 6, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Notebook: Florida women's basketball opens fall practice with drills, dancing and a new coach

By Justin Ahlum | Oct. 10, 2017

Delicia Washington told reporters on Monday that first-year coach Cameron Newbauer has some moves, but he also has some more to learn.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Cameron Newbauer, new women’s basketball coach, has Gators starting from square one

By Morgan McMullen | Oct. 4, 2017

In his introductory press conference six months ago, first-year women’s basketball coach Cameron Newbauer said he thought the bats at the UF bat house were cool.

UF head coach Mike White smiles during a press conference following Florida's 65-39 win against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament on March 18, 2017, in Orlando.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

With high expectations for UF men’s basketball, Gators look to their freshmen

By Skyler Lebron | Oct. 3, 2017

Last year, the Florida men’s basketball team improved from a middling NIT attendee in the 2015-16 season to a legitimate NCAA contender in 2016-17.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators basketball looking to fill lost pieces from 2016-17 season

By Skyler Lebron | Sep. 6, 2017

The Florida men’s basketball team will have to adjust, and fast.

Gorjok Gak (right) is competing for Australia in the World University Games in Taipei. Through eight games, the rising sophomore averaged 11.1 points a game.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators Gak, Koulechov close World University Games with impressive showings

By Skyler Lebron | Aug. 30, 2017

Throughout the 2016-17 Florida men’s basketball regular season, freshman center Gorjok Gak averaged just 5.3 minutes per contest. He saw more than five minutes of action just twice in the regular season, relegated to the bench as he developed strength and coordination.

Florida forward Devin Robinson dunks the ball during the second half of the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against East Tennessee State, Thursday, March 16, 2017 in Orlando, Fla. Florida defeated ETSU 80-65. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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Hey Mr. Robinson: Florida basketball looks to fill role left by high-flying forward

By Jake Dreilinger | Aug. 22, 2017

After a run that saw the Florida men’s basketball team reach the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, Florida will have seven players return to its roster this fall.

Gorjok Gak (right) is competing for Australia in the World University Games in Taipei. The rising sophomore center had 8 points and 9 rebounds in a two-point win against Lithuania on Monday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators basketball players representing Australia, Israel and Sweden in World University Games

By Skyler Lebron | Aug. 22, 2017

The World University Games in Taiwan are a chance for college athletes to represent their nations in various team and individual sports.

Devin Robinson stands on the court during Florida's 77-70 loss against South Carolina in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on March 26.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators in the NBA: 2017 Summer League Recap

By Andrew Huang | July 20, 2017

With the conclusion of the 2017 NBA Summer League this past Monday, let's take a look back at how several former Gators fared in the tournament.

Former UF basketball player David Lee competes during a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 6, 2017. Lee is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators in the NBA: 2017 Free Agency Edition

By Andrew Huang | July 5, 2017

A year ago, two-time NCAA champion and former Gator great Al Horford made headlines when he signed a four-year, $113 million contract with the Boston Celtics. The deal played a huge role in shaking up the NBA’s landscape, as Horford helped the Celtics emerge as a championship contender in the Eastern Conference.