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Florida lands Virginia Tech transfer Jalen Hudson

Florida keeps stocking up on shooting guards.

By Andy Hutchins
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Just two days after reeling in College of Charleston graduate transfer Canyon Barry on Monday, Florida struck again on Wednesday, landing Virginia Tech transfer Jalen Hudson, as first reported by Scout's Evan Daniels.

Hudson also gave quotes to ESPN's Jeff Goodman on Wednesday.

"I believe in what Coach White is building," Hudson told ESPN on Wednesday. "I think Florida gives me a great opportunity to perform at a high level, win at a high level and ultimately pursue my dreams in playing in the NBA."

Hudson averaged 8.4 points per game off the bench for the Hokies in 2015-16, but is known as a scorer, and poured in 28 points in an NIT victory over Princeton late last season. He also has the frame at 6'5" and 195 pounds to be a force as a big guard or an undersized small forward in Mike White's offense. Hudson made just 42.8 percent of his two-pointers as a sophomore last season, but improved his three-point clip to 34.6 percent from a dismal 28.3 percent as a freshman.

And he made 57 percent of his twos as a freshman, suggesting that he at least has the touch and savvy to be efficient from the midrange and in, even if the trend line is pointing the wrong way.

Hudson picked Florida over Texas, notching a pseudo-victory over Shaka Smart, and should be have two seasons of eligibility beginning in 2017-18, barring an NCAA waiver for something. He slots in well to whatever spot Barry will vacate after the 2016-17 season, and provides insurance in case of further attrition by Florida's guards, like a potential jump to the NBA by KeVaughn Allen — which seems further-fetched now than it might in April 2017.

Hudson also attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, famously the alma mater of LeBron James, so I wouldn't be stunned to eventually see a @KingJames tweet about the Gators if Hudson should turn into a star.

(Apologies for the lateness of this post: I was in an airport for longer than expected on Wednesday.)