Florida Men’s Basketball Reinvents Backcourt with Lee and Fland

The Florida Gators, reigning national champions, are undergoing a significant transformation in their backcourt.

The team has seen the departure of its top three scorers—Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard—along with senior Denzel Aberdeen.

While losing four crucial guards could ordinarily lead to concern, Coach Todd Golden has successfully addressed these gaps via the transfer portal. This offseason, the Gators welcomed two talented guards: Xaivian Lee from Princeton and Boogie Fland from Arkansas.

Aberdeen’s Departure

While the departures of Clayton, Martin, and Richard for the NBA were anticipated, Aberdeen’s transfer to Kentucky caught many off guard. Seeking $2 million in NIL compensation to continue with Florida, Aberdeen ultimately opted to join an SEC rival. He’ll return to face the Gators twice this upcoming season.

“He played a vital role in our championship success last year and capitalized on the new college basketball landscape,” Golden explained in an interview. “[He] received a compelling offer from Kentucky, both in terms of basketball and finances. Our team is prepared to compete against him, and I think he’s ready for that challenge too.”

Golden Positive About New Additions

In the 2024-2025 season’s initial games, Fland emerged as one of the top freshmen nationally, averaging 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game before a UCL injury sidelined him. As he steps into his sophomore year, Fland is expected to replicate Martin’s contributions with off-ball scoring and solid defense.

“Boogie played an essential role at Arkansas last year, and now, after experiencing some ups and downs, we expect to see his best performance,” said Golden. “He had a standout camp this summer.” Lee, a seasoned player with three years at Princeton and impressive stats of 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season, brings additional experience to the team.

Klavžar’s Growing Role

While the starting lineup appears established, Florida has several bench players vying for significant minutes. Sophomore guard Urban Klavžar, known for his clutch performance, is gaining attention during practice as he prepares for a larger role this season.

The Gators face a welcome dilemma of having numerous options on the bench. Alongside Klavžar, promising freshmen guards/forwards CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd, and junior transfer AJ Brown will all compete for playing time.

Season Opener

The Gators are set to kick off their season against Arizona in Las Vegas on November 3rd.