Gaynor commits to the Knights
The UCF basketball program recently added their first Class of 2008 commitment from P.J. Gaynor, a 6-foot-9 forward out of Jacksonville's Mandarin High School. Gaynor committed to the Knights shortly after his official visit which took place over the weekend of Sept. 14.
"UCF has a good coaching staff and good players," Gaynor said. "It's a good place to be. They're an up and coming program. It's kind of close to home, but not too close."
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The campus and new arena were just icing on the cake.
"I loved the school too," Gaynor said. "Everything is real nice. The arena is really nice. I went to a couple classes and spoke with some academic advisors. They said they planned to help me along the way."
UCF has been heavily recruiting Gaynor since his 10th grade year.
"I went to a team camp at UCF with my high school team," Gaynor said. "They saw me play in AAU when I was young and they also saw some high school games I played in Orlando. I got an offer from UCF before my junior season."
Gaynor really likes the coaching staff. He was recruited by assistant coach Dwight Evans.
"Coach Speraw, coach Evans, Coach Jaz, they're all real cool," Gaynor said.
Kenrick Zondervan served as Gaynor's player host during the visit.
"All the players did everything together and I really liked that," Gaynor said. "I hung out with all of them, Kenrick, Jermaine Taylor, Jean Michel Yotio, A.J. Tyler, Drew Speraw and Stanley Billings. I liked all of them."
On the court, Gaynor can move between the three and four positions.
"They like how versatile I am," Gaynor said. "I can play a lot of positions. I think I have a chance to play early. They do too. I've got to earn it though. Nothing will be handed to me. I plan on earning it and working real hard."
Gaynor, who said his family is also pleased with the decision, plans to officially sign his National Letter of Intent Nov. 14, which is the first day of the early signing period. He intends to come back down to Orlando later on this season to see some home games.
Preseason basketball practice at Mandarin gets underway in a few weeks.
"We're supposed to be pretty good this year," Gaynor said. "We want to try and get a state championship for my coach."
Gaynor chose the Knights over Jacksonville, Richmond, Arkansas-Little Rock and Appalachian State.