Jan 31, 2014 10:43 AM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

More reinforcements for #3 Florida (18-2, 7-0)? Maybe that's the way to build an elite team: begin the year with three or four players ineligible for a variety of violations, keep a respectable record, and then slowly bring back the offending parties (which should be some -- but not all -- of your best players). The latest Gator to return is 6-foot-11 freshman forward Chris Walker (ranked No. 12 in the class of 2013 by ESPN and projected as a potential lottery pick).

Perhaps such a formula actually strengthens a team's bond by dissuading bench players and fringe starters from the notion that they should be playing more. Without the presence of guys otherwise ahead of them in the depth chart, they either earned their spot during the players' absence, or lost it. Remember, most suspended players can still practice with the team. If the games don't reveal the entire pecking order, practice should take care of the rest. Only if it's a close call might things get cheeky, but maybe not. Grateful to be eligible again, the previously suspended player will likely be less concerned about playing time, and simply about playing -- at least in the beginning. If they truly are better than the player ahead, that fact should prevail. In this scenario, the less heralded player gets a chance to prove himself he otherwise might not have gotten.

Perhaps Florida's early season roster carousel even opened the door for the emergence of senior leading scorer Casey Prather (16.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 62 percent fg). For his first three seasons, Prather hadn't averaged more than 6 points or 20 minutes per game. Now he's their leading scorer?

Described as a long power forward with small forward skills in his future150 scouting report, Walker has nonetheless been cautiously projected as a rebounder and shot blocker off the bench this season (also listed as strengths on his scouting report), according to ESPN. On offense, however, he's described as a hybrid wing player who prefers to face up from 12-15 feet, but isn't averse to the three point line. Walker's intriguing game will debut on Tuesday.

"We're glad there's a resolution for everyone involved, especially for Chris," head coach Billy Donovan said in a statement. "We appreciate everyone's participation in this process and are ready to move forward."

Walker was ruled ineligible for accepting illegal benefits (cell phones, meals, lodging, and clothing) duirng his AAU career, according to ESPN. As a repercussion, he was ordered to pay back $270 (or money he received from agents) and serve 80 hours of community service.

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