When Florida landed a commitment from 2020 wing Samson Ruzhentsev they got the exact player they needed and the kind of versatile small forward that they have lacked over the last few seasons. There aren’t many players available with his size at 6’7”-6’8” and the ability to shoot, and given the athleticism Ruzhentsev possesses there’s no reason he shouldn’t be a plus defender in his time in Gainesville.
I had the chance to catch up with him right after a weekend where he dominated some top-quality teams in the Lighthouse Classic, punctuated by 31 points on 12-19 shooting against an elite Orangeville Prep team.