Humphrey hangs it up

Sad to report that one of the all-time clutch shooters in college basketball history has decided to end his pro basketball career.

Former Gator guard Lee Humphrey, who remains the all-time NCAA Tournament leader in 3-pointers made with 47, has decided to go into the business world in Jacksonville rather than continue playing overseas.

Humphrey played last season for BC Juventus of the Lithuanian League but appeared in just two games due to a back injury.

“It was tough,” Humphrey said. “I had a little injury in the offseason and it took me a long time to come back so, I just felt like it was a good time. It was a good job opportunity and (my son) Oliver was born, just a good time to move on.”

Humphrey ranks as one of my all-time favorite Gators to cover and his value to UF’s back-to-back national title teams in 2006 and 2007 was underrated. In addition to being a clutch shooter, Humphrey was a strong perimeter defender and had adequate enough ball-handling skills to spell Taurean Green at point guard during some stretches.

At 31, Humphrey still displayed his smooth shooting skills during Friday night’s Gator Madness 3-point contest. But he was bested in the finals by Florida redshirt freshman Brandone Francis-Ramirez, who made five straight 3s to close out his contest-winning flurry.

“He looks good shooting,” Humphrey said. “He’s smooth and he’s confident. I think he’ll be good.”

Humphrey said he’s encouraged by what he sees from the 2015-16 Gators.

“The guys, I haven’t been around them that much but it looks like they have a good chemistry and atmosphere,” Humphrey said. “There’s a lot of excitement about the season.”

Being based in Jacksonville, Humphrey said he’s hoping to get to a few Gator games this season. He’s received an open invitation from first-year coach Mike White.

“I talked to him a little bit tonight,” Humphrey said of UF’s new coach. “He’s obviously got a good record. The team will be fun to watch and the guys seem to be buying in to what he’s doing.”

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