Just 12 days ago, the Florida Gators won their third national championship in program history. The victory came in dramatic fashion against the Houston Cougars, as the Gators trailed the entire game but managed to overcome the deficit in the final minute. At the end, it was offensive weapon Walter Clayton Jr. who made a defensive closeout that will be remembered forever in Gainesville.
What Florida accomplished this season was special—and no one saw it coming, at least not before the year began. The dangerous part? The Gators have already reloaded less than two weeks later. Earlier this week, Florida secured the commitment of elite scorer Xaivian Lee.
“Florida just honestly checked all the boxes. [It] felt like the perfect fit,” Lee said. “[The] team has a really good culture and it’s something I want to be a part of and build on so I’m super excited for the opportunity.”
Lee is expected to replace Clayton, and rightfully so—he’s one of the most prolific scorers in all of college basketball. Coming off a national championship, some believe the Gators have a real shot at going back-to-back.
“The expectation now is to go back-to-back... They went back-to-back in '06-'07. Why wouldn't they think they're gonna run the table again?” said Isis Young.
Lee’s expected partner was going to be Denzel Abderdeen—they were set to become next season’s version of Clayton and Alijah Martin. But that changed on Friday when Abderdeen entered the transfer portal. The decision was shocking, and it turns out Abderdeen is chasing a bigger payday.
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“Denzel Abderdeen's departure had little to do with the addition of Princeton transfer PG Xaivian Lee and was far more about finances/NIL,” Jeff Goodman wrote.
Players across the country are leaving programs in search of better financial opportunities. The Gators thought they had created the next dynamic duo with Lee and Abderdeen—but it turns out the guard will be taking his talents elsewhere.