There were moments in practices and games throughout last season when Scottie Wilbekin did not understand why Florida coach Billy Donovan was in his ear so much.
It felt like Donovan was constantly hounding him, which seemed strange to Wilbekin because he was merely the backup point guard and played a modest 15 minutes per game behind senior Erving Walker. Why was the coach spending such a disproportionate amount of time yelling about Wilbekin’s mistakes?
Donovan admitted he was “really hard” on him, but there was a purpose. When he learned that Wilbekin had asked an assistant coach about it, he pulled him aside.
“Scottie, let me ask you a question,” Donovan said. “Erving Walker’s a senior right now. I’m assuming you think you would like to try to take over his spot once he leaves.
“So understand that right now, this is all part of getting you prepared for that.”
His message landed, and Wilbekin worked harder than ever this offseason to get ready for his momentous opportunity. He is expected to start at point guard when No. 10 Florida opens the season Friday night against Georgetown aboard the USS Bataan, an amphibious assault ship near Jacksonville.
The Gators also plan to use shooting guard Kenny Boynton, a senior, at point. That plan is partly out of need and partly to help Boynton prove to NBA teams he can be an asset at that spot.
They will work to replace Walker, who left UF as the career leader in assists and No. 5 all-time scorer. He averaged 12.1 points and 4.6 assists per game last year.
Wilbekin, a junior from Gainesville, has averaged 2.5 points per game over his first two seasons. The Gators need him to be more of a scoring threat than he has been, but Donovan is not asking him to be an exact substitute for Walker. He is counting on Wilbekin to be a steady defender and rebounder, and he seems happy to provide those services.
“Everybody’s gonna see something different than they’ve seen from the Florida point guard the last three years,” said Wilbekin, who at 6-feet-2 is 6 inches taller than Walker. “I love playing defense. I love making energy plays. You’ll see a lot more of that.”
This is a chance for Wilbekin to break out and establish himself in college basketball. For Boynton, who already is an all-SEC talent, playing point guard can help him make some money.
Boynton led the Gators with 15.9 points per game last year and has a reputation as one of the conference’s top perimeter defenders. However, he might have a hard time making it as an NBA shooting guard at 6-2. Working at point guard this season is good for the team now and for him in the long term.
“In practice when I’m playing point guard, I’m pretty comfortable,” he said. “I don’t think it’ll be much of a transition — not forcing anything, finding the right man. I’m definitely looking forward to it.
“At my size, I’m not a two (shooting guard) at the next level. I definitely need to show that I can play the point guard position.”
Boynton considered trying to turn pro after last season, though he was not projected to go in the first round of the NBA Draft. His stock should rise if he is effective at the point, which would also be a major boost to UF.
“Because of him being a senior and because of our offense, it is good for our team and for him at the next level,” Donovan said. “I do think NBA people want to know that the guy has the ability to play back there.
“That could help his growth and development as a player, beyond being here at Florida. I’m all for trying to help guys get to a level they’d like to get to, but there’s also gotta be an understanding and a give and take of what our team needs.”
In this case, it is both.
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