Florida men’s basketball loses four-star recruit

Montverde Academy senior Malik Reneau announced his decommitment from Florida Tuesday, according to On3 Recruits.

Breaking: Malik Reneau, the No. 29 overall prospect in the 2022 class, has decommitted from Florida, he tells @On3Recruits.

Story: https://t.co/PRWu7H1nd3 pic.twitter.com/p6vdkvtunH

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 22, 2022

Changes in coaching staff

Reneau, the Gators highest-rank recruit in Gainesville since Scottie Lewis in 2019, will reopen his recruitment following former head coach Mike White’s departure to Georgia. On ESPN’s Top 100, the four-star forward ranks No. 21, two spots up from when he signed.

“First and foremost I want to thank the community of #GatorNation for all of the love and support they have given me. With everything that has transpired at the University of Florida, I have decided to reopen my recruitment,” Reneau said in a statement to On3 Recruits.

On Friday, Florida announced Todd Golden was hired as the new head coach of the program.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead one of the nation's premier men's basketball programs. My family and I can't wait to get to Gainesville!! #GoGators https://t.co/ibhvN8Miwd

— Todd Golden (@CoachToddGolden) March 18, 2022

Golden, 36, led the San Francisco Dons to capture 24 wins and their first appearance since 1998 in the NCAA Tournament. Over the last three seasons, Golden earned a 57-36 record with the squad.

Furthermore, the new head coach has a press conference Wednesday that can be listened to at 12:30 p.m.

The commitment

Reneau committed to UF Sept. 1, 2021, publicizing it through On3 Recruits’ Instagram live.

The 6-foot-8 Miami native was the first player from the class of 2022 to commit to the orange and blue. In a post on Twitter, he said he was “110% committed” to the program.

But six months later, that statement has changed.

What’s next?

Reneau’s top seven included Florida, Memphis, Florida State, Miami, Seton Hall, Arkansas and Indiana. Eventually, the selection shrunk to Florida, Memphis, Miami and Florida State. Memphis, Miami, Seton Hall, Arkansas and Indiana all made it to this year’s NCAA Tournament, though none of them are still dancing.

While playing for Nightrydas Elite in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League circuit in 2021, he averaged 20.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in six games, as well as 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks.

ESPN’s Adam Finkelstein said the left-handed forward “has a wealth of versatile tools and is continuing to ascend at a very consistent rate.”

And those skills will translate onto someone else’s court.