Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Chris Walker stands on the sideline as the Gators warm up during Florida’s win against Tennessee on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Walker cleared by NCAA, will make debut Tuesday against Missouri

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 29, 2014

Chris Walker has finally been freed.

Kytra Hunter performs her floor routine on Friday in the O’Connell Center. Hunter scored a perfect 10 on the routine. Her performance followed fellow UF gymnast Bridget Sloan’s perfect floor routine — the first back-to-back 10s in an event for UF in almost 18 years.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Wiping the floor: The anatomy of Hunter, Sloan’s perfect 10s

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 28, 2014

There is more to a perfect 10 than meets the eye — which is why the Gators have accomplished the feat only 17 times in the program’s 41 years of existence.

Damontre Harris poses at media day on Oct. 10, 2012. Harris, who left the team in December 2013, has practiced with the Gators after re-joining the team. Coach Billy Donovan said Harris will not play for Florida until next season.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Harris practicing with UF

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 28, 2014

Since Damontre Harris re-enrolled at Florida at the start of the semester, he has so far been successful in his attempts to work his way back into coach Billy Donovan’s good graces.

Kayla Lewis drives toward the net during Florida’s win against Georgia on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Forward racking up boards

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 28, 2014

The Gators are one of the smallest teams in the Southeastern Conference.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin talks to reporters after his team’s practice on Thursday in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks face the Denver Broncos on Sunday at 6:25 p.m. in Super Bowl XLVIII.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Harvin cleared to return to Seahawks for Super Bowl XLVIII

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 28, 2014

Percy Harvin is ready to start making an impact again.

Florida point guard Kasey Hill shoots over Kansas guard Naadir Tharpe during No. 19 Florida's 67-61 win against No. 13 Kansas on Dec. 10 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Freshman point guard shooting poorly from three

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 28, 2014

Throughout his freshman campaign, point guard Kasey Hill’s shooting touch from beyond the arc has not been the smoothest.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Golfer disappointed after opener

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Jan. 28, 2014

After the golf team’s fourth-place finish in the Florida Challenge on Monday, redshirt sophomore Katie Mitchell and her teammates are looking to improve in their first three-round tournament in Palos Verdes, Calif., on Feb. 9-11.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Donovan optimistic about Walker ruling

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Jan. 27, 2014

From the day Patric Young stepped on Florida’s campus as a freshman in 2010, the 6-foot-9 center immediately drew comparisons to some of the NBA’s biggest stars, such as Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudemire.

Ronni Williams shoots the ball during Florida’s 87-69 win against Auburn on Sunday in the O’Connell Center. Williams scored 10 points against the Tigers.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Three-pointers carry Gators

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 27, 2014

Rebounds are not an issue if you are sinking threes at will. Florida showed that on Sunday against Auburn.

Four-star running back Derrell Scott is interviewed by reporters after choosing Tennessee over Florida.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Top-10 running back prospect chooses Tennessee over Florida

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Jan. 27, 2014

Four-star running back Derrell Scott, a 2014 prospect out of Havelock, N.C., announced his verbal commitment to Tennessee on Monday afternoon.

Houston Rockets’ Chandler Parsons (25) shoots a three-point shot as Memphis Grizzlies’ Tayshaun Prince watches on Jan. 24 in Houston.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators in the NBA: Parsons holding Rockets together as team’s ‘glue guy’

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 27, 2014

Throughout the 2013-14 season, the Houston Rockets have called Chandler Parsons their “glue guy.”

Rachel Spicer performs on the balance beam during Florida’s 198.05-196.70 home win over Georgia on Friday.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Perfect scores overshadow junior

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 27, 2014

Rachel Spicer didn’t perform her floor routine during Florida’s 2013 title run.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Holloway not satisfied despite solid performances

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Jan. 27, 2014

Very pleased, but not satisfied, is how coach Mike Holloway is feeling about his track and field team after two meets thus far in the indoor season.

Michael Frazier II drives the ball down the court during Florida’s 67-41 win against Tennessee on Saturday in the O’Connell Center. Frazier led the Gators with 17 points against the Volunteers.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida offense finding balance during conference play

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Jan. 26, 2014

For the first three games of the season, the Gators’ offense went through Casey Prather. Nearly a third of the team’s total points scored came from the senior forward.

Jaterra Bonds drives the ball down the court during Florida’s 87-69 win against Auburn on Sunday in the O’Connell Center. Bonds scored eight free throws as the Gators went 21-of-26 at the line on Sunday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF snaps losing streak

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 26, 2014

The Gators snapped their three-game skid with authority Sunday afternoon in the O’Connell Center.

Bridget Sloan and Kytra Hunter celebrate following Florida’s match against Georgia on Jan. 24 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Sloan, Hunter perfect on floor

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 26, 2014

When sophomore Bridget Sloan finished her floor routine Friday night, a crowd of more than 10,000 fans who gathered to see Florida (3-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) compete against Georgia erupted.

Hilda Luthersdottir (pictured) held the school record for the 200 breast until freshman Vanessa Pearl topped it on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida solidifying roster for SECs

By Logan McGuire | Jan. 26, 2014

Florida’s roster was a work in progress during the Fall season, but with three weeks until the Southeastern Conference Championships, the Gators are rounding into postseason form.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

UF bounces back on second day of meet

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Jan. 26, 2014

After securing seven event victories and two meet records, the UF track and field team left the Rod McCravy Memorial in Lexington, Ky., with a better understanding of its depth.

Senior Elizabeth Beisel competes in the 200-yard butterfly during Florida's match against Auburn on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Beisel, Rousseau send off seniors on high note in final home meet

By Logan McGuire | Jan. 26, 2014

In what was the final home meet for a group of 13 Florida swimmers and divers against Auburn’s swimming and diving teams, the 2014 senior class did not disappoint.

Will Yeguete (middle) and Patric Young (right) cover Tennessee forward Jarnell Stokes during Florida’s 67-41 win against Tennessee on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators shut down McRae, Volunteers in 67-41 home win

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 25, 2014

Throughout the past few seasons, Florida has earned a reputation as one of the best defensive teams in the country. And Saturday afternoon against Tennessee, coach Billy Donovan’s call for desperation motivated UF to live up to that billing.