Center transfers South Carolina to Florida basketball program

Posted May 31, 2012 by TBO.com

Updated May 31, 2012 at 11:04 AM

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By DAVID JONES
Florida Today

Damontre Harris, a 6-foot-9 post player from Fayetteville, N.C., who ranked second in the SEC in blocked shots with 71 while at South Carolina last season, has officially notified Florida of his intent to transfer and join the Gators men’s basketball program.

Harris, was a 2012 SEC All-SEC defensive team selection. He is eligible to practice with UF but must sit out the 2012-13 season due to NCAA transfer regulations.

During his two seasons in Columbia, Harris averaged 5.3 points and 4.6 rebounds. Harris started 30 of 31 games for the Gamecocks last season. He also led South Carolina with 5.5 rebounds per game, posted nine double-figure scoring games with two double-doubles.

New Gamecocks coach Frank Martin allowed the transfer to another SEC school without penalty. He could have attempted to block the move.

“If that young man does not want to be at this school, then you shouldn’t hold him hostage,’’ Martin said at the SEC spring meetings in Sandestin earlier this week. “Now we’ve got to compete against Damontre and I don’t like that. But why should I block him from going to the school he wants to play at, as long as things were handled the right way.’‘