An old friend returned to Florida basketball during the transfer portal period earlier this month.
Denzel Aberdeen’s decision to come back to the Florida Gators after a one-year stint with Kentucky came as a surprise to many. But Florida coach Todd Golden is not one to hold a grudge. Aberdeen improved each year from his freshman to junior season at UF and was a key guard off the bench during UF’s national title run in 2024-25 before bolting for the Bluegrass.
“We missed him last year and he missed us,” Golden said. “We’re constantly evolving in this world, trying to sort out through the rev share, though the NIL, it’s not always going to be a perfect discussion. We each sort of went our separate ways last year and that’s sort of the nature of this business right now.”
The 6-foot-4 Aberdeen proved he could handle a starting role in the SEC in a high-pressure environment at Kentucky in 2025-26, averaging 13.5 points, 3.4 assists and 2.5 rebounds. He shot 43.3% from the floor and 36.3% from 3-point range.
“He’s a very good offensive player,” Golden said. “I thought he did a great job at Kentucky. They obviously dealt with a lot of injuries and inconsistency with their lineup but he was always very consistent and he delivered every night.
“I think him and (Otega) Oweh were clearly their two best players and the guys that delivered consistently and that was a big jump for ‘Zel from the year before where he came off the bench for us.”:
Golden is cautiously optimistic that Aberdeen will be granted a fifth year by the NCAA, based on the fact he played less than 41 minutes of game action his entire freshman season in 2022-23. A former Orlando/Dr. Phillips High standout, Aberdeen also has mapped out a plan to complete his undergraduate degree by the spring of 2027. The NCAA also is considering a change in eligibility rules granting athletes five years to play five seasons. Aberdeen would fall under those parameters.
From a basketball standpoint, Aberdeen will help Florida address its weakness in perimeter shooting last year, as UF shot 31.2% from beyond the arc last season. But Golden said Aberdeen brings additional value in continuity as far as knowing UF’s offense and having relationships with standout returners Alex Condon and Tommy Haugh. Aberdeen will pair with a new backcourt mate, point guard Boogie Fland, after playing with Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin in 2024-25.
“Obviously we’re gonna fight to get his additional year and allow him to be part of this team again,” Golden said. “Similar to Tommy and Condo, Denzel loves the guys on this team, I think he appreciates our staff and our program and what we’ve got going on here and there were no hard feelings, no animosity.”
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida basketball coach Todd Golden explains why G Denzel Aberdeen returned to UF
Reporting by Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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