Gators latest to offer Kitchen

The Jacksonville Lee Bulls of the AAU circuit, who have been recently competing in tournaments around the country, have been competitive thus far in large part to backcourt sensation Derwin Kitchen. Kitchen is ranked the No. 89 prospect for 2005 and the No. 26 shooting guard by Rivals.com.

“We are doing pretty good,” Kitchen said. “We have been to a couple of good tournaments and had some good showings.”

At the end of May, the Bulls participated in the Tournament of Champions, and Kitchen was named to the All-Tournament team. But racking up prestigious accolades is nothing new to Kitchen. He has been a proven winner for Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines since he was a sophomore.

Kitchen, who is 6-3 and 180 pounds, led Raines to a 5A state title as a sophomore. In the championship game, Kitchen scored 16 points and was named the game’s MVP. But one state title wasn’t enough for Kitchen. This past year as a junior, Kitchen led Raines to the 4A state title. Heading into his senior season, he is once again looking to lead Raines back to the state championship.

“I would be disappointed as an individual (if we didn’t win the championship) because I am supposed to be the leader, and I just need to take control and see what I can do to get my team there,” Kitchen said. “But team-wise we are not looking too good in summer ball, so I don’t know about a state championship right now. We have a lot of work to do.”

Kitchen has earned first-team All-State honors the past two years. As a junior, he was Player-of-the-Year for the Jacksonville area, but for his senior season he has his eyes set on the top honor for a prep player in Florida.

“My goal this year is try and win Mr. Basketball in Florida,” he said.

Kitchen’s instincts as a winner has garnered him attention from Division I-A basketball programs. He said that he has offers from Florida, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Arkansas, Miami and Jacksonville -- two of these teams lead for Kitchen’s signature.

“Florida is probably right up there at No. 1 and then Wake Forest,” he said. “I like the level of competition and the style of play at these schools. They run an up-and-down game. My AAU team and my high school team we are like an up-and-down team, sort of like pressing. That is the kind of offense and defense those two teams run.”

Kitchen doesn’t plan to announce a verbal commitment anytime soon.

“I am trying to wait until somewhere around September or October,” he said. “I am trying to take a couple of visits first.”

Kitchen has taken a few unofficial visits to UF. He came to Gainesville in early June to attend a basketball camp and then returned last week to talk with UF head coach Billy Donovan.

“On Tuesday I had come up to Gainesville and we had sat down and talked one-on-one,” he said. “He then offered me a scholarship.

“Coach Donovan is straight up with you. He is a real good coach. He has been coaching for a couple of years, but the main thing I like about coach Donovan is that he will be straight up. He will tell you the truth.”

That is exactly what Donovan did when he met with Kitchen last week.

“We talked about areas I really need to improve in,” Kitchen said. “When I went to the team camp, I didn’t do that well, so he was telling me what I need to improve on.

“First, I need to work on my defense and lifting weights. I have to get more motivated on the court because sometimes I can be laid back and that is something I need to work on.”

Kitchen is being recruited as a combo guard. He has the capability of playing either point guard or shooting guard in college.

“I rather play the two (shooting guard), but it really doesn’t matter,” he said. “I can play the one or the two. I start at the shooting guard (for Raines), but sometimes I play the point guard. When the game comes down to the wire I just try and get the ball in my hands.”

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