Florida Basketball experienced very little roster turnover. With a couple fresh faces and a lot of familiar names, the Gators look to make noise in a crowded SEC.
The tradition continues! CBB Review is again ranking the top 100 teams heading into the new college basketball season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Up next: Florida basketball.
Florida is tasked with dealing with a very tough SEC this season. Nonetheless, the Gators did not lose much from a season ago and added some key pieces to hopefully get the job done.
Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard both return for Florida to lead the backcourt. The duo are no strangers to being relied on, as they both played important roles in last season’s tournament trip.
You may have seen Florida on social media this offseason because of 7 foot 9 freshman Olivier Rioux, who seemed to tower over everyone on the court. Yes, he is an interesting prospect, but the rest of the Gators front court is extremely solid as well.
Overall Florida has a very well seasoned lineup. They have been around for a while and know what it takes to get the job done. However, with an even more loaded conference than last season, Florida has a long road ahead if they want to compete for a league title.
Click here to learn more about our preseason top 100 teams heading into the 2024-25 college basketball season.
Head coach: Todd Golden (3rd season at Florida, 6th season overall)
2023-24 record: 24-12 (11-7)
2024 postseason finish: Lost to Colorado (102-100) in NCAA Tournament First Round
Notable departures:
- Zyon Pullin (15.5 PPG, 4.9 APG, 3.9 RPG)
- Tyrese Samuel (8.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 0.8 APG, 1.1 SPG)
- Riley Kugel (9.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 SPG)
Notable non-conference games:
- vs. USF (Nov. 4)
- at Florida State (Nov. 15)
- ESPN Events Invitational (Nov. 28-29)
- vs. Virginia (Dec. 4)
- vs. Arizona State (Dec. 14)
- vs. North Carolina (Dec. 17)
Projected Rotation
PG: Walter Clayton Jr. (6-3, 195, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 17.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG
SG: Will Richard (6-4, 206, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 11.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 41.1 FG%
SF: Sam Alexis (6-8, 240, Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 10.8 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 2.1 BPG, 55.0 FG% (Chattanooga)
PF: Alex Condon (6-11, 230, So.)
2023-24 stats: 7.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.3 BPG
C: Reuben Chinyelu (6-10, 255, So.)
2023-24 stats: 4.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.1 APG, 1.3 BPG
6: Alijah Martin (6-2, 210, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 13.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.6 SPG (FAU)
7: Thomas Haugh (6-9, 210, So.)
2023-24 stats: 3.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 0.6 APG, 14.7 MPG
8: Denzel Aberdeen (6-5, 190, Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 3.3 PPG, 0.9 RPG, 0.7 APG
9: Micah Handlogten (7-1, 235, Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 5.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 0.8 APG, 62.2 FG%
10: Isaiah Brown (6-4, 200, Fr.)
247Sports Composite #123 ranked recruit
11: Olivier Rioux (7-9, 305, Fr.)
247Sports Composite #311 ranked recruit
Florida Basketball team MVP: Walter Clayton Jr.
Clayton is Florida’s leading returning scorer, who happens to also be the Gators top scorer last season. Clayton ended last season with a 33 point barrage in Florida’s narrow loss to Colorado, and hopes to pick up right where he left off.
The point guard is a dynamic scorer, as he is able to make shots from all three levels. Although not the traditional facilitating point guard, Clayton spreads the floor and his presence alone is enough to create open shots for his teammates. He is quick, has a decent three point shot, and attacks the rim.
Florida will go as far as Clayton takes them. With a lineup full of young returners, the senior should have set his groundwork to lead last season and can take it and run this year.
Florida Basketball make-or-break player: Sam Alexis
The Chattanooga transfer put up very good numbers scoring and on the glass last season. However, now in a beast of an SEC, Alexis will be tasked with maintaining similar production to last year.
Alexis averaged over nine boards a game last season. As a small forward, those numbers are unbelievable. Florida, who has a very big roster, will not need the volume of boards necessarily, but presence on the glass is needed.
Most importantly, the Gators are hoping Alexis can be an offensive weapon. How it stands now, the rest of the front court is not a major scoring threat. The backcourt should get the bulk of offensive duties, but Florida would like the added dimension of offense if Alexis can be the scorer he was at UTC.
Key analytic: Blocks per game
Florida basketball is known for rim protection. Last season, the Gators ranked 13th in the country at 5.3 blocks per contest. This year, their starting lineup alone averaged 4.7 blocks a game.
The brand of Florida basketball is long, athletic bigs and quick guard play. Rim protection is something that will help this squad a ton, as their bigs are not as quick as some others in the country.
In addition to the three forwards, Florida has two more seven-footers on their bench. 7’9″ Olivier Rioux might not have an immediate impact, but if the Gators need a board or a block, it is almost certain he will be in there.
Florida Basketball 2024-25 projections
Projected conference finish: 7th in the SEC
Projected postseason ceiling: NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Exit