2025-2026 Gator Basketball

[gatordad3]

This is no surprise as we now wait for Alex Condon to return as well.

Florida's Rueben Chinyelu withdraws from NBA Draft: Center returning to Gators with aid title defense effort

Chinyelu's return represents another significant offseason win for the reigning national champions

www.cbssports.com

 

[ocalaman]

This is no surprise as we now wait for Alex Condon to return as well.

Florida's Rueben Chinyelu withdraws from NBA Draft: Center returning to Gators with aid title defense effort

Chinyelu's return represents another significant offseason win for the reigning national champions

www.cbssports.com

Not a surprise, but still great news. If Condon comes back our frontcourt is set. Just need to keep Micah & Reuben in the gym all summer and fall working on free throws

 

[Gators1853]

Isn't Boogie Fland on an official visit? If we can sign him the back court should be solid I look forward to watching Coach Golden improve Boogie's game. I think he will.

 

[instaGATOR]

Not a surprise, but still great news. If Condon comes back our frontcourt is set. Just need to keep Micah & Reuben in the gym all summer and fall working on free throw.

They also need to get Olivier moving and running with plans to get him at least some playing time in 2025-26.
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The Gator roster as it begins to develop for the coming season:

Eligibility Expired:

PG Walter Clayton Jr 6-3 195 Sr - NBA
CG Will Richard 6-4 206 Sr - NBA
CG Alijah Martin 6-2 210 Grad-Sr - NBA
PG Bennett Andersen 6-2 190 Grad-Sr (coaching a possibility?)

Portal Exit Gonzo's:
CG Denzel Aberdeen 6-5 190 Sr went portal to Kensucky
PF Sam Alexis 6-8 240 Sr - Chattanooga xfer in, now out to Indiana
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Projected Returners:

PG Johnuel 'Boogie' Fland 6-1 175 So - Ark xfer
PG Xaivian Lee 6-4 180 Grad-Sr - Princeton xfer - Canadian/American
CG AJ Brown 6-4 210 Jr - Ohio xfer
SG Isaiah Brown 6-4 195 So
PG Urban Klavzar 6-1 195 Jr - Slovenia xfer
SG/SF Kevin Pazmino 6-4 195 Jr - SFC xfer - WO
SG/SF Cooper Josefsberg 6-4 195 rsJr - WO
---
SF/PF Thomas Haugh 6-9 215 Jr
PF/C Alex Condon 6-11 230 Jr - Australia
PF/C Rueben Chinyelu 6-10 260 Jr - WashSt xfer
C Viktor Mikic 6-11 250 rsFr - Serbia
C Olivier Rioux 7-9 305 rsFr - Canada
C Micah Handlogten 7-1 255 Sr - Marshall xfer
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Back in April, Florida landed a commitment from two-time First Team All-Ivy League at Princeton guard Xaivian Lee before adding Ohio transfer AJ Brown.
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I expect that the new Gator's final roster will not settle out before the Fall Semester begins.

After originally declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft, Arkansas Boogie Fland, a true PG and a potential target for the Florida Gators in the transfer portal, has decided to withdraw his name from consideration. Through 21 games with the Razorbacks, Fland led the team in assists per game (5.1) and was second on the team in points per game (13.5 PPG).

 

[Nicktheslick]

Did Kublickas pull his name out of the portal?

 

[instaGATOR]

Did Kublickas pull his name out of the portal?

No it seems. I thought one of them had gone portal but I couldn't remember which one it was.
My search shows him as a departure to Pacific, so I removed him from my above list,,, and thanks.

 

[gatordad3]

Finally!

https://athlonsports.com/college/florida-gators/former-5-star-recruit-arkansas-boogie-fland-announces-commitment-florida

 

[gatordad3]

 

[gatordad3]

 

[Gators1853]

This is fantastic. I am anxious to see Fland develop under coach Todd Golden. Calipari was interested in moving a player out and to the next level. His system is dull and boring and Boogie will be able to be his best as a Gator.

It is a good feeling to be on top as a basketball program.

 

[GatorGray]

 

[instaGATOR]

PG Johnuel 'Boogie' Fland 6-2 175 So ***** MickyD AA - Ark xfer in.
2024-25 Fr - 13.5 Pts, 5.1 Asts, 3.2 Rbs and 1.5 Stls in 21 games (18 starts).

Deadspin | Florida lands former Arkansas PG Boogie Fland

Deadspin | Florida lands former Arkansas PG Boogie Fland

deadspin.com

 

[gatordad3]

PG Boogy Fland 6-2 175 So ***** MickyD AA - Ark xfer in.
2024-25 Fr - 13.5 Pts, 5.1 Asts, 3.2 Rbs and 1.5 Stls in 21 games (18 starts).

Deadspin | Florida lands former Arkansas PG Boogie Fland

Deadspin | Florida lands former Arkansas PG Boogie Fland

deadspin.com

View embedded media

 

[Nicktheslick]

If Alex comes back and coach Golden gets these guys to come together as a team like last season then we will be right back in it. The talent level will be equal now with picking up Brown, Lee and Fland.

 

[ocalaman]

If Alex comes back and coach Golden gets these guys to come together as a team like last season then we will be right back in it. The talent level will be equal now with picking up Brown, Lee and Fland.

Agree in theory and on paper. But getting the cohesive toughness that we saw in Clayton, Martin, Richard & Aberdeen is going to be hard to duplicate.

 

[Gators1853]

Agree in theory and on paper. But getting the cohesive toughness that we saw in Clayton, Martin, Richard & Aberdeen is going to be hard to duplicate.

I am anxious to see Boogie Fland coached by Todd Golden compared to how he was coached by Calipari. Calipari was pushing him out of the door the day he arrived on campus in Fayetteville. That is what Calipari does.

Calipari will begin to fade now that we have NIL. His one and done with freshmen is outdated and his coaching skills have always been suspect. His tenure at Kentucky proved that. It took a generational talent in Anthony Davis for him to finally win a title.

If Fland does not turn into a superstar I will be shocked. I think a good coach will make the difference.

 

[gatordad3]

I am anxious to see Boogie Fland coached by Todd Golden compared to how he was coached by Calipari. Calipari was pushing him out of the door the day he arrived on campus in Fayetteville. That is what Calipari does.

Calipari will begin to fade now that we have NIL. His one and done with freshmen is outdated and his coaching skills have always been suspect. His tenure at Kentucky proved that. It took a generational talent in Anthony Davis for him to finally win a title.

If Fland does not turn into a superstar I will be shocked. I think a good coach will make the difference.

What also helped Calipari was the threat of on NBA lockout to start the 2011-2012 season. Most, if not all his freshmen returned to give Anthony Davis and his fellow incoming freshmen more depth and leadership. Calipari more than likely doesn't win a title without the lockout threat.

 

[Gators1853]

What also helped Calipari was the threat of on NBA lockout to start the 2011-2012 season. Most, if not all his freshmen returned to give Anthony Davis and his fellow incoming freshmen more depth and leadership. Calipari more than likely doesn't win a title without the lockout threat.

You are right. I had forgotten about that. I seriously doubt Calipari will ever win another NCAA Championship.

 

[ocalaman]

This afternoon the team was honored for their national title in a public press conference by President Trump. Tebow was there. Trump had them all cracking up, but gave them a great tribute.

 

[instaGATOR]

Vid begins with a Boogie beat down on then #1 Kansas, then moves on to other game highlights, so enjoy...
His assists, speed, and defense make me smile.... 😊

 

[instaGATOR]

But let's not forget that Boogie is not the only PG newbee on the roster for 2025-26...
PG Xaivian Lee 6-4 180 Sr season at Princeton:
GP 30 - 32.1 Min - FG 43.9% - 3's 36.6% - FT 78.0% - Pts 16.9
Rb 6.1 - Ast 5.5 - TO 2.2 - Stl 1.2 - Blk 0.4 - PF 2.2

Here's PG Xaivian Lee doing his thing...
And holy schite scatman, his footwork and ball handling are off the chart imo...

 

[instaGATOR]

SG AJ Brown 6-4 210 rsSo season at Ohio
29 GP 26.6 Min - FG 47.1% - 3's 38.8% - FT 82% - Pts 13.2
Rb 3.2 - Ast 1.1 - TO 1.2 - Stl 1.3 - Blk 0.1 - PF 2.4



As surprised as I am in saying this... I'm thinking that with who they have returning, and who they are bringing in, as fans we might not miss those that have moved on....

PG Johnuel 'Boogie' Fland 6-1 175 So - Ark xfer
PG Xaivian Lee 6-4 180 Grad-Sr - Princeton xfer - Canadian/American
SG AJ Brown 6-4 210 rsJr - Ohio xfer
---
SG Isaiah Brown 6-4 195 So
PG Urban Klavzar 6-1 195 Jr - Slovenia xfer
SG/SF Kevin Pazmino 6-4 195 Jr - SFC xfer - WO
SG/SF Cooper Josefsberg 6-4 195 rsJr - WO
---
#5 SF CJ Ingram 6-6 195 Fr **** - Hawthorn, FL
#8 CG Alex Lloyd 6-3 165 Fr **** - Ft Lauderdale, FL
With a couple of 'sweet' Florida boy quality additions added to the developing mix....

 

[Nicktheslick]

This afternoon the team was honored for their national title in a public press conference by President Trump. Tebow was there. Trump had them all cracking up, but gave them a great tribute.

View embedded media

Thanks for sharing Ocala. That was great!

 

[gatordad3]

 

[gatordad3]

 

[instaGATOR]

View embedded media

Someone should have told Trump that he's from the U.S.'s new 51st State... 😉

 

[instaGATOR]

Anyone watch the above provided utube vids of our 3 new xfer-ins?
Comments on their specific traits and abilities?
Do the xfers, returnes, and/or the HS newbees have a chance of filling the roles of the departures?
(after watching the vids, I believe so btw)

 

[Nicktheslick]

Anyone watch the above provided utube vids of our 3 new xfer-ins?
Comments on their specific traits and abilities?
Do the xfers, returnes, and/or the HS newbees have a chance of filling the roles of the departures?
(after watching the vids, I believe so btw)

I’ll have to say I’m surprised at how good Fland is defensively. I knew he was very good with the ball.

 

[Nicktheslick]

Lee has a great step back 3 ball but since there were no defensive highlights that concerns me.

 

[Nicktheslick]

Brown may be the sleeper here. I love the way he attacks the goal. Physical too.

 

[instaGATOR]

I’ll have to say I’m surprised at how good Fland is defensively. I knew he was very good with the ball.

Lee has a great step back 3 ball but since there were no defensive highlights that concerns me.

Brown may be the sleeper here. I love the way he attacks the goal. Physical too.

NIC, No player fills every bill completely on the floor. Neither the ones departing nor the ones arriving.
The trick is to get every bill filled across a complete team, starters and backups.
We'll all have to wait and see,,, as usual, on whether they can get that done, but I see all of the needed talents available in the roster combination, IF they can come together and play for each other as a TEAM.

The 2 HS guys have a chance to make an impact as Fr also...

 

[Gator Fever]

If Alex comes back and coach Golden gets these guys to come together as a team like last season then we will be right back in it. The talent level will be equal now with picking up Brown, Lee and Fland.

Yep Golden is doing a great job with the roster in this era of transfers and NIL. If Condon returns on paper this should be another Final Four level talented team. I think not overpaying Aberdeen was a very good move by him.

 

[ocalaman]

NIC, No player fills every bill completely on the floor. Neither the ones departing nor the ones arriving.
The trick is to get ever bill filled across a complete team, starters and backups.
We'll all have to wait and see,,, as usual, on whether they can get that done, but I see all of the needed talents available in the roster combination, IF they can come together and play for each other as a TEAM.

The 2 HS guys have a chance to make an impact as Fr also...

Exactly right. This year's team was talented, for sure, but we've had a bunch of talent teams over the years who didn't win any titles. These guys (under the great coaching & leadership from Todd Golden and his staff, IMO) really gelled as a unit and got progressively better as the season went along. Different guys stepped up in different games and they just had a toughness and togetherness that you rarely see. And that's why they won the national title. There will, obviously, be a lot of talent on next year's team as well. But like you said - they have to come together and gel as a team and play for each other with a determined toughness. Hope so, but we shall see.

 

[Nicktheslick]

Yep Golden is doing a great job with the roster in this era of transfers and NIL. If Condon returns on paper this should be another Final Four level talented team. I think not overpaying Aberdeen was a very good move by him.

I believe Denzell would have been in a similar role this year as he was last. It was indeed an important role and I don’t think we win it all without him. But clearly he wanted more and I don’t blame him. I wish him great success 98% of the time.

 

[instaGATOR]

Ocala, they only won because they got very LUCKY! 😉
And did so several times, especially in the 6 game Dance.
You have to be good enough to get there, and then lucky enough to win.

1-22 UF 70 - 69 SCa

3-23 UF 77 - 75 UConn

4-7 UF 65 - 53 UH
As with many things in life, I'd rather be LUCKY than good..... 😎

 

[ocalaman]

Ocala, they only won because they got very LUCKY! 😉
And did so several times, especially in the 6 game Dance.
You have to be good enough to get there, and then lucky enough to win.

1-22 UF 70 - 69 SCa

3-23 UF 77 - 75 UConn

4-7 UF 65 - 53 UH
As with many things in life, I'd rather be LUCKY than good..... 😎

Some degree of luck is involved in any championship run, of course. But when you win several close games like this basketball team did, there was a lot more than luck involved, IMO. They made plays when they needed to, got stops when they needed them, hit shots when they needed them, etc. Clutch performances caused by a certain winning attitude that led to the close wins.