Parsons ends the process

There will be a party at Chandler Parsons's house this weekend. The 6-foot-8 wing from Lake Howell (Fla.) High School is off the board. The four-star forward took an unofficial and ended the recruiting process on Saturday.

Parsons committed to Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators during a face to face meeting with the National Champions this weekend.

"When they had offered me, they didn't tell me what my role was going to be with the team," Parsons said. "That was the whole reason why I wanted to come up here and talk to them and see what coach Donovan had to say. I loved what they said and I love the situation they have here."

After a brilliant summer, Parsons became one of the hottest names on the recruiting scene, collecting offers from coast to coast. Florida followed Parsons hard after the Nike All-America camp and offered shortly after the busy July period.

Parsons said the Gators envision him as a big wing with versatile skills much like former players that shined at the same position.

"Coach Donovan had a tape showing me the players that they had there before me like Mike Miller, Matt Bonner, Matt Walsh. They showed me how successful I could be and how they'll use me," he said.

Parsons said he sees himself as a mismatch for opposing teams because of his size, shooting touch and improved offensive game. He joins a good crop of in-state players for the class of 2007. Parsons will suit up with his high school teammate Nick Calathes, guard Gary Clark, wing Adam Allen and St. Louis native Alex Tyus.

With two more scholarships to give, Parsons said he is looking forward to playing recruiter for the big men on the Florida board, including Patrick Patterson and J.J. Hickson.

"I feel like we could have the kind of class that can win another National Championship," Parsons said.

That's reason enough to throw a party.