Florida basketball is getting a familiar face back in the fold.
Former Gator Denzel Aberdeen is returning to Gainesville for the 2026-27 season if granted an eligibility waiver from the NCAA. The 6-foot-5-inch guard from Orlando spent last season with the Kentucky Wildcats after transferring from Florida following the 2025 national championship run, and now he’s looking to come back where his college career took shape.
He announced his intent to re-enroll at the University of Florida on Friday via social media.
Aberdeen’s season with the Wildcats was the most productive of his career. The senior averaged 13.5 points, 3.4 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game while starting 35 of 36 games, setting career highs across virtually every statistical category.
He had 27 double-figure scoring efforts and led the Wildcats in scoring eight times, emerging as one of the more reliable guards in the SEC in his lone season with Kentucky.
Before transferring to Kentucky, Aberdeen spent his first three seasons of his college career with the Orange and Blue. During his time in Gainesville, he showed flashes of the player he would become at Kentucky, including a pair of back-to-back 20-point games during the 2024-25 season and a 12-point performance in Florida’s Sweet 16 win over Maryland during the championship run.
Aberdeen left Florida in search of opportunity, wanting a bigger role and more consistent playing time. Playing behind a talented group of guards such as Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin limited Aberdeen’s minutes. When he did step on the court, he provided Florida with a spark and valuable production off the bench.
Now, with a season of starting experience under his belt, Aberdeen looks to build upon the best year of his career with another run with the Gators. His familiarity with Todd Golden’s system and the chemistry he built during his time in Gainesville would make him a seamless addition to the team.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Denzel Aberdeen returning to Florida basketball pending NCAA waiver
Reporting by Aidan Gallardo, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
