Garrett College all-American Alex Vargo, center, recently signed with the University of North Florida’s NCAA Division I men’s basketball program. Also pictured are Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap, left, and GC head men’s basketball coach Matt McCullough, right.
Garrett College standout Alex Vargo has signed a letter of intent to play men’s basketball for NCAA Division I University of North Florida.
Vargo, recently named third-team NJCAA Division II all-American and first-team all-Region 20, was the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference’s leading scorer this past season. He averaged 26.7 points per game, finished fourth in the league in 3-point shooting percentage (42 percent), and shot 52 percent overall from the field.
“In Division I, wings with size who can score at all three levels are a premium,” GC head coach Matt McCullough said of the 6-foot-6 native of Wheeling, WV.
Vargo played the 2020-21 season at Youngstown State University, but has an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID exemption. He will have three years of eligibility remaining at UNF, which finished the 2023-24 season with a 16-16 overall record and a 9-7 mark in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Vargo said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll – the winningest coach in UNF history – and his coaching staff played a critical role in his decision to sign with the Osprey.
“They were very genuine and personable,” said Vargo, adding he sees “a lot of opportunity” within the UNF program.
McCullough termed Vargo’s signing “huge for our program.”
“That’s what it’s all about – getting students into high-quality, four-year programs,” said McCullough. “A lot of young men dream about playing D-I. We can now show that it’s possible to go D-I from Garrett College if you do the right things on and off the court.”
Vargo finished his only season with Garrett College in brilliant fashion, topping 40 points three times in his final seven games. He scored a school-record 47 points in his final game as a Laker as a short-handed GC squad defeated the College of Southern Maryland, 113-95.
“Coach McCullough let me play my game,” said Vargo, who credited his GC experience with helping him get back to a Division I program.
McCullough said Vargo’s work ethic is an important key to his success.
“Alex would start the day at the CARC, lifting and swimming. He’d then be in the gym from 8-10 a.m., go to class, eat lunch, work out again, practice, and be exhausted,” McCullough said of Vargo’s daily routine.
Vargo, who will graduate from GC next month with a degree in General Studies, plans to be a Sport Management major at UNF.
