Tishman Cleared to Play

The Gator Basketball team can now officially add Nimrod Tishman to the roster for the 2009-10 season. The 6-4 guard from Israel was cleared late Monday night according to Florida Coach Billy Donovan.

Nimrod Tishman signed with the Gators late this summer but it has taken a while for the NCAA to verify he amateur status. He’s been practicing with the team since mid-October but is now full go. The addition of Tishman adds some much needed depth to the Florida backcourt. He joins sophomores Erving Walker and Ray Shipman and fellow rookie Kenny Boynton in giving Florida four guards for the upcoming campaign.

Florida Coach Billy Donovan comments on the significance of knowing Tishman will be able to play this season.

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On getting Tishman cleared:

“He’s all set. He’s fully cleared to play. He’s been practicing. I think it’s good news for him and our team and at least that’s something that’s behind us now.”

On what Tishman can do to help the Gators:

“I think that he has shown at least in the first 10 days that he can play some point. He has really, really good vision. He’s picked up things very well. He has a high basketball IQ. He’s a very good passer. He’s going to be able to give us some minutes in the backcourt. Him being eligible to play gives us a little bit more depth back there than we had.”

On how ready Tishman is to play:

“I think he had some huge adjustments to make on the defensive end of the floor because I think the game is played totally differently in Europe than it is here. That’s any area of concern that we have. He’s got to get a lot better defensively and that needs to be an area he really focuses on.”