Possibilities For FGCU's Open Scholarship Spot

(Courtesy of Linwood Ferguson)

With the departures of Eric McKnight and Dajuan Graf, Florida Gulf Coast now holds one open scholarship slot for the 2014-15 season. Although it confused fans a month ago, the Eagles' continuous recruitment with the class of 2014 now makes sense. But now the question is: who will come to Dunk City and fill that final scholarship? We explore the possibilities.

FGCU dipped into the transfer market, as it was reported that the Eagles are after Butler transfer Nolan Berry. The 6'10" freshman center left the Bulldogs after he played in just 18 games. The big man was a consensus three star recruit out of De Smet Jesuit High School, where he played with Florida Gulf Coast commit Eric Moeller (Co. Central Florida). A source informed us that Dooley made a visit to Berry during the week of March 31, but Berry is waiting a bit to start taking visits.

Considering that Florida Gulf Coast returns one player who averaged over 5 rebounds a game last season (Jamail Jones - 5.6), the Eagles are looking for a big man to solidify the front court. While Berry is an option, Jabari McGhee (2014) of Hargrave Military Academy also fits the bill. The 6'7", 210 lb forward took an official visit to Dunk City on March 15 and has narrowed down his list to FGCU, Western Kentucky, Louisiana Lafayette, Ole Miss, and Georgia Tech. In addittion to Florida Gulf Coast, he has already visited Western Kentucky (Feb. 21), and ULL (April 8), and plans on visiting Ole Miss on April 18.

The Blue and Green also have their eyes on JUCO guard Jay Wright (2014) of Casper College (Casper, Wyo). According to Verbal Commits, the 6'1" guard will take an official visit to FGCU on April 18. As a starter for the Thunderbirds, Wright averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game last season.

Excluding the aforementioned, Florida Gulf Coast has offered four other recruits in the class of 2014 according to Verbal Commits: guard Jamall Gregory (Calvin Coolidge HS - Washington D.C), small forward Zach Lee (Elev8 Sports Institute - Albuquerque, NM), power forward Quadree Smith (Potomac HS - Fairfax, VA), and power forward Marcus Freeman (Louisburg College - Williamston, NC).

Starting on Monday, April 14, until Thursday, April 17, there is a NCAA dead period when coaches cannot make in person contact with recruits. The live period resumes again on April 18 and extends to April 23rd. Also worth noting is that the regular signing period begins on Wednesday, April 16.