Virginia Cavaliers Basketball Player Profile: Anthony Gill

Forward Anthony Gill transferred to Virginia from South Carolina in the spring, after Gamecocks coach Darrin Horn was fired. Virginia had some tough competition to land gill, with powers North Carolina, Ohio State and Florida in pursuit. Gill was high school teammates with Cavalier forward Akil Mitchell, and ESPN had him ranked as a Top-100 prospect for the 2011 class. The 6'8'' transfer has three years of eligibility left, after sitting out the upcoming season because of the NCAA's transfer rules.

In his only season at South Carolina, Gill was one of the best players on his team. Starting 26 of 31 games, the freshman big man averaged 7.6 points per game, good for third on the team. Gill also averaged 4.7 rebounds per game, tied for second best on the squad. The 6'8'' forward took the occasional long ball as well. Gill averaged 39.3% from three on the season, making 11 of his 28 attempts. For comparisons sake, Mike Scott, a decent outside shooting big man, was 6 for 20 on the year from 3, or 30%. Gill also shot 64.6% from the free throw line last year, which leaves some room for improvement. Overall, these numbers are really respectable for any freshman big man, especially for one playing on a team that was 2-14 in the SEC last year.

Word out of Virginia practices this fall has been that Gill is one of the best players on the team. Although he cannot play this season, Gill can practice with the team, and really get acclimated to Tony Bennett's system on both ends of the floor. Next year, Gill can come in and probably start right away. With his inside-out game, many will see a comparison to Mike Scott. Obviously, based on the list of teams that pursued Gill when he transferred, the talent is certainly there.

Men's Basketball Spotlight: Anthony Gill (via McIntyreLiz)