GAINESVILLE, FLA. -- THIS OFFSEASON, months before the Florida Gators could focus on its pursuit of back-to-back national titles, a feat the program had previously achieved in 2006 and 2007, head coach Todd Golden first needed another championship roster.
He had known the best backcourt in America would graduate and push for spots on NBA rosters, but he couldn't predict Denzel Aberdeen receiving NIL offers that would turn Florida's new potential leader into what Golden called a "cap casualty," ultimately departing for Kentucky. At that point, he didn't know whether Alex Condon would remain in the 2025 NBA draft or return to Gainesville.