Noah Locke
In this Jan. 10, 2020, photo provided by the University of Florida Athletic Association, University of Florida team manager Chris Sutherland is shown warming up before a game between Florida team managers and Missouri team managers, the night before an NCAA college basketball game between Florida and Missouri, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. Sutherland waited nearly five years to finally play college basketball. He worked his way onto Florida’s bench in January after serving as an arena worker, a practice player for the women’s team and a team manager for the men’s program. Gaining NCAA eligibility was a daunting task that required him to repay a $5,000 scholarship and remove his name and likeness off a website he created last year to sell streetwear he designed. (Alex de la Osa/UAA Communications via AP)
Hoops dream: Florida walk-on relishes moment years in making

By Mark Long Apr. 02, 2020 02:25 AM EDT

Florida center Jason Jitoboh (33) blocks a shot from Georgia's Rayshaun Hammonds (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Athens, Ga. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP)
Locke's 3s help Gators take control late to beat Dogs 66-54

By Charles Odum Mar. 04, 2020 09:04 PM EST

Florida beats Arkansas 73-59, extends dominance in series

By Mark Long Feb. 18, 2020 09:14 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Keyontae Johnson spent a good chunk of his career night at the free throw line. It was the best chance undermanned Arkansas had at...

Florida honors Billy Donovan, hammers Vanderbilt 84-66

By Mark Long Feb. 15, 2020 10:21 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida opened and closed the first half with 3-pointers, a fitting tribute on a night the program honored former coach Billy Donovan....

Nembhard scores 24 as Gators beat Aggies 78-61

By Kristie Rieken Feb. 12, 2020 10:52 PM EST
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Florida coach Mike White raved about his team's performance on offense after the Gators routed Texas A&M on Wednesday night. ...

Vanderbilt forward Ejike Obinna (50) hands the ball off to guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (2) as Florida guard Andrew Nembhard tries to steal it during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/The Tennessean via AP)
Florida hands Vanderbilt its 26th straight SEC loss

By Chip Cirillo Feb. 01, 2020 10:46 PM EST

Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) drives around Florida guard Noah Locke (10) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
Florida looks for defensive turnaround amid disappointment

By Mark Long Jan. 31, 2020 05:40 PM EST

Perry scores career-high 27, Miss State tops Florida 78-71

By Mark Long Jan. 28, 2020 09:16 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Reggie Perry's mother and sister were on hand for his game at Florida, about a two-hour drive from his hometown. ...

Baylor guard Devonte Bandoo (2) takes a shot over Florida guard Tre Mann (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
No. 1 Baylor stifles Florida 72-61 for 16th straight victory

By Mark Long Jan. 25, 2020 10:25 PM EST

Williams, Mays help LSU hold on against Florida, 84-82

By Brett Martel Jan. 21, 2020 09:46 PM EST
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — LSU guard Skylar Mays could afford to have a sense of humor after the Tigers nearly blew a 10-point lead in the final 1:11 against...

Auburn guard J'Von McCormick (5) makes a layup past Florida forward Omar Payne (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
Payne's career game helps Florida beat No. 4 Auburn 69-47

By Mark Long Jan. 18, 2020 05:03 PM EST

Florida rallies from 21 points down, beats Alabama in 2OT

By Mark Long Jan. 04, 2020 09:05 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Scottie Lewis, Andrew Nembhard and Kerry Blackshear Jr. hit two free throws apiece in the final minute of double overtime, lifting...

Florida handles Long Beach State 102-63 in pre-SEC tuneup

By Mark Long Dec. 28, 2019 02:20 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida may have found a turning point in its up-and-down season. Kerry Blackshear Jr. and Keyontae Johnson scored...

Florida guard Noah Locke (10) celebrates with teammates after the team defeated Providence in an NCAA college basketball game at Barclays Center, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in New York. Florida won 83-51. (AP Photo/Michael Owens)
Johnson scores 19, leads Florida over Providence 83-51

By Denis P. Gorman Dec. 17, 2019 09:54 PM EST

Florida coach Mike White motions to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Marshall on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
Struggling Gators seek more scoring after revamping scheme

By Mark Long Dec. 16, 2019 12:36 PM EST

Butler forward Bryce Nze (10) shoots on Florida forward Kerry Blackshear Jr. (24) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Butler defeated Florida 76-62. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 24 Butler tops Florida 76-62 behind balanced scoring

Dec. 07, 2019 02:42 PM EST

Marshall guard Taevion Kinsey (1) and forward Darius George (21) celebrate after a play against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
Glover scores 14, No. 24 Florida beats Marshall 73-67

By Mark Long Nov. 29, 2019 11:06 PM EST

Xavier's Tyrique Jones, at left, looks for a pass against the defense of Florida's Scottie Lewis (23) and Kerry Blackshear Jr., in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the finals of the Charleston Classic, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
MVP Johnson leads Florida to 70-65 win over No. 18 Xavier

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 24, 2019 10:43 PM EST

Blackshear’s 20 lift Florida to 78-58 win over Miami

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 22, 2019 02:03 PM EST
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Florida coach Mike White’s not sure where his Gators will end up this season. He just finally likes the direction they’re headed. ...

Johnson’s 22 leads Florida to 70-62 win over Hawks

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 21, 2019 04:34 PM EST
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Keyontae Johnson saw Florida’s big lead shrink to almost nothing in the final minute. He made sure his teammates didn’t let this one...