Kitchen Headed to Florida

The coaching staff at Florida has been busy recruiting the nation for their backcourt of the future but they didn’t have to look very far for their newest commitment. days. In fact, they didn’t even have to look in a different city. Derwin Kitchen, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard, became the second guard to commit to the Gators from Jacksonville in consecutive days.

Kitchen, who stars at Raines High School, picked the SEC program on Friday night.

“I called coach (Billy) Donavan and told him I was ready to be a Gator,” Kitchen said. “He was real happy. I’m real happy, too. They got a good basketball program. They are just an elite school and it’s not far from home. My family can come and see me all the time.”

Kitchen, who is the No. No. 89 ranked player in the class of 2005, is the second player to pledge to Florida in the last two days. Guard David Huertas picked the school on Thursday. Kitchen said it was just a coincidence that the two Jacksonville players chose Florida.

“I know him a little bit. We’ve seen each other at the mall and stuff but I’m looking forward to playing with him and getting to know him even more,” Kitchen said.

David Jones, Kitchen’s Jacksonville Lee Bulls AAU coach, said his star player would have been a worthy get for any school.

“Derwin would have been a great fit for both Wake Forest (who Kitchen was also considering) and Florida but he decided to stay close to home,” Jones said. “Florida is getting a great player and a great kid. He’s improving everyday and he’s going to do big things at Florida.”