The Florida State University basketball team has secured a commitment from a highly skilled big man, marking their first transfer acquisition of the offseason. Jerry Deng, a 6’9″, 220-pound forward who previously played for Hampton, has announced his decision to join the Seminoles. During his freshman season, Deng demonstrated an impressive performance, averaging 10.1 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game, with a 39.1% shooting accuracy from the 3-point line.
Deng possesses the essential characteristics of a Leonard Hamilton forward: tall, agile, athletic, and proficient in floor spacing with his shooting ability. While his defensive capabilities were not fully realized in the previous season, he exhibits the potential to become an elite defensive asset for the team. Deng’s commitment to Florida State follows a recent visit to the university, ultimately choosing FSU over New Mexico, another school he had considered.
In an interview with 247sports, Deng expressed his strong connection with Coach Hamilton, highlighting the significance of their rapport. He stated, “My main goal is to win an ACC championship and make March Madness. If we do that everything else will take care of itself.”
The Florida State team has experienced a significant departure of players during this offseason, with six scholarship players entering the transfer portal and others reaching the end of their eligibility. The status of a few others, including Chandler Jackson, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Taylor Bol Bowen, and Jamir Watkins, remains uncertain.
While Jerry Deng marks FSU’s first transfer addition of the offseason, the team is also set to welcome at least three high school prospects, with the signings of AJ Swinton, Christian Nitu, and Daquan Davis. There is a possibility of adding one more high school prospect, but the team’s primary focus is to recruit experienced transfers who possess a winning track record.
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