Florida guard Tyree Appleby plans to enter portal

Tyree Appleby plans to enter the transfer portal, according to Graham Hall of the Gainesville Sun. After spending two years at Cleveland State and two years at Florida, he has decided to return to school to play basketball for one more year, according to CBS Sports Jon Rothstein. Notably, Appleby is able to return to school using the free additional year of eligibility due to COVID-19. Yet, it seems he has played his last minutes in Gainesville.

Tyree Appleby tells me that he is returning to school next season and will use his additional year of eligibility.

The school that he plays for is TBD.

Averaged 10.9 PPG and 3.7 APG last season at Florida.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 28, 2022

Appleby’s history at UF

Appleby committed to play for Florida on July 14, 2019, under Mike White. The 6-foot-1, 163-pound guard is originally from Jacksonville, Arkansas. In the 2020-21 season, Appleby averaged 11.3 points, 3.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 turnovers per game.

During the 2021-22 season, Appleby averaged 10.9 points, 3.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game. Emphatically, in one of his final games as a Gator, Appleby posted a UF career-high 26 points in the upset of No. 2 Auburn in the O’ Dome.

Appleby provided energy and leadership to the Gators throughout his time at Florida but was consistently inconsistent on the floor. Errand ballhandling and turnovers occurred often.

https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/1495152519907098624?s=20&t=PKe9J839ZsamGSYstNWRyA

What is next for Florida and Appleby?

Earlier this month, the Florida Gators Men’s Basketball team failed to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

White interviewed and took the Georgia Bulldogs head coaching vacancy during Selection Sunday. Just days after, Florida hired San Francisco head coach Todd Golden.

In the wake of White leaving, the guard is expected to enter his name in the transfer portal. It is unclear at this time where he will go.

Per multiple reports, Tyree Appleby plans to transfer from UF. Initial expectation was he planned to return to #Gators — that appears to have changed after Mike White’s departure. Still hearing some in program haven’t heard his decision.

— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall) March 28, 2022

Georgia is one team to watch for Appleby, a possible opportunity to reunite with coach White where he could find abundant playing time. If Appleby decides to go elsewhere for his final year, the Gators will have to sift through the transfer portal for another guard. The Gators currently have guards Niels Lane, Elijah Kennedy, Kowacie Reeves and Myreon Jones on the roster.