While Florida faced a giant speed bump within its 2017 recruiting class thanks to the decommitment of top-50 guard Shai Alexander, the Gators quickly regrouped. On Thursday, Mike White and his program celebrated a new commitment, that coming from talented and versatile senior guard Michael Okauru.

A 6-foot-3 guard built in the same mold of the now Kentucky signee, Okauru was oftentimes been overlooked for one reason or another, though when given the chance to succeed, he has done just that. Bringing great size to the backcourt, while some have seen Okauru a 2-guard, when placed at the lead guard spot, the Carolina native has flourished.

Running with the Garner Road 17-under team this past summer and now at Brewster Academy this winter for his final year of prep ball, Okauru has raised his profile thanks to being surrounding with solid pieces in the backcourt. Sure, he can score the ball with an ever-improving jumper, a piece of his game that he showed off at last month’s National Prep Showcase where he made three in one game, the senior’s strengths is creating for others. He tends to make all of the right plays and passes on the go and within the half-court setting as he has a comforting presence to him that exudes over onto the rest of his team.

Okauru competes with no ego and has the willingness and desire to complete whatever task is asked out of him. Scoring the ball won’t be one of those things thanks to the early signatures of DeAundrae Ballard, a 6-foot-4 wing that can fill up the scoreboard, along with high-flying forward Chase Johnson and inside-out big man Isaiah Stokes. Together, the four-man class checks many of the needs for Mike White and his program and gives the Gators another foundational group of prospects to build upon in achieving future success.