ATLANTA — Each dawn, incoming 2017 Florida basketball signee DeAundrae Ballard drives 15 minutes from his house to the Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy gym.
Sometimes, Ballard works out alone. Other times, a high school teammate or two will join him.
The 5 a.m. workouts have become part of the 6-foot-6 Ballard’s routine as he prepares for his upcoming freshman season at Florida. Often, the workouts last until 7:30 a.m., then school, then more basketball in the afternoon.
“For me to work out, it had to be early in the morning, because I have a lot of things to do throughout the day,” Ballard said.