Locke gives Gators second top guard pledge

Noah Locke's recruitment has come to a close. The 6-foot-3 scoring guard who's one of the top shooters in high school basketball committed to Florida on Tuesday night. Locke brings a competitive mindset, versatile scoring acumen and plenty of versatility to UF’s backcourt.

Locke selected the Gators over Xavier, Providence, Ohio State and Michigan.

“I just felt great there when I went on my visit," Locke said. "Guys on the team, we just seemed to have a connection already, even though it was my first time being there,” he said. “They heard about me and how I led the EYBL in 3-pointers and how good of a scorer I am. I just felt like I was home, honestly.

“I liked the coaching staff there with Coach (Mike) White, he is young and I could relate with him, and also Coach (Darris) Nichols and Coach (Jordan) Mincy, and all the other coaches, they just seemed like the right people for me to be around. I feel like at Florida, I could get a lot of exposure there, compete for a national championship, and play on TV every game.”

A member of the Team Melo unit, Locke led all Nike EYBL competitors with made 3-pointers, knocking in a blistering 45 percent of his attempts. He averaged 17.4 points, three rebounds and close to two assists and two steals per game, and he brings defensive versatility to the perimeter thanks to his 6-foot-9 wingspan.

Locke's decision follows the five-star commitment of elite playmaker Andrew Nembhard on Monday; both players visited Gainesville last weekend.

“We immediately connected," Locke said. He just seemed like he was one of my closest friends right when we got there. We talked a lot throughout the visit and we already discussed about committing together,” he said. “Of course, we are going to have to come in and work at but I do believe we can develop into the best backcourt in the nation because him being the best passer and me being a great scorer; only greatness can come out of it.”

Locke becomes Florida’s second class of 2018 commitment along with Nembhard in creating a strong two-man group for the Gators that could replace graduating guard Chris Chiozza and possibly KeVaughn Allen, if he does decide to enter the NBA Draft a year early.

Florida will hope to add additional pieces to its 2018 class as it will host Rivals150 wing Keyontae Johnson this weekend. The Gators also remain in contention for top-50 wing Khavon Moore and five-star power forward Emmitt Williams.