UF Men’s Basketball Forward Tuongthach Gatkek Enters Transfer Portal

Tuongthach Gatkek, the 6-foot-9, 172-pound Florida forward, entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday, according to 24/7 Sports.

#UF big Tuongthach Gatkek enters the NCAA transfer portal https://t.co/DownvX1bSP @247SportsPortal

— Blake Alderman (@Blake_Alderman) April 7, 2022

Big Losses

Joining the Gators in the 21-22 season Gatkek was raised in Portland Maine and transferred from Trinity Valley Community College. He played 163 total minutes across 21 games, averaging 1.7 points,1.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game, averaging around a 50% field goal percentage.

Coming into the 22-23 season Gatkek is the third player with collegiate eligibility left to leave the team from last season’s roster. Forward Anthony Duruji declared for the NBA draft. While point guard Tyree Appleby for his final year of eligibility is entering the transfer portal.

Last season Gatkek saw a large portion of his minutes and playtime come as forward Colin Castleton suffered a mid-season torn labrum. Castleton led the team in points averaging 16.2 points and 9.0 assists per game.

What’s ahead for the Gators

Todd Golden was named the new Florida Gators Men’s Basketball Coach in late March. While losing 5 total players from both collegiate eligibility expiring, transfers and declaring for the draft. The road ahead while difficult is one that he is hopeful about.

We’re just vibin’ here in GNV 👀#GoGators | @CoachToddGolden pic.twitter.com/n1pAMbRJaw

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) April 4, 2022

The Gators will look to build around returning player CJ Felder and incoming Freshman Denzel Aberdeen and Jalen Reed. However Golden has said that the Gators need and will look to be aggressive in the transfer portal.