Ex-Hoya big man Macklin transfers to Florida
The 6-foot-9, 230-pound sophomore was a former high school star and McDonald's All-American that didn't log a ton of playing time while backing up Roy Hibbert at Georgetown.
Macklin averaged 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 18 points against St. John's in late January.
"It's a great decision because it gives Vernon a chance to sit out and work on some things," said Macklin's former prep school coach, Kevin Keatts, of Hargrave Military Academy. "He's learned a lot in the last two years under John (Thompson III), but going to Florida will give him a chance to re-charge his battery a little bit."
Macklin made the decision during a Friday visit to Gainesville.
Even though Hibbert graduated, Macklin saw the writing on the wall with the fact that the consensus No. 1 freshman in the country, Greg Monroe, is set to arrive on campus soon.
The ultra-athletic Macklin, who is expected to arrive in Gainesville soon for summer school classes, could fit into Donovan's up-tempo system. He will have to sit out this season before becoming eligible in the 2009-10 campaign.
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