The Gator Nation exhaled a collective sigh of relief when rising junior forward Alex Condon’s decision to withdraw his name from the 2025 NBA draft was announced, signaling his return to Florida to defend its national title.
Not only did fans of the Orange and Blue cheer the native of Australia’s decision to go back to school, but also the sports media as a whole. After the NBA draft withdrawal deadline passed, USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg, CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno and Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney all anointed Todd Golden’s gang as “winners” heading into the summer months.
Take a look below at what the trio offered on the Florida Gators and why they were winners in the eyes of each respective writer.
USA TODAY Sports: Gators a post-draft decision winner
“Condon had an uneven NCAA tournament but came up huge in the championship game against Houston, illustrating his potential along with the need to hone his game before taking the next step into the NBA. Junior center Rueben Chinyelu also backed out of the draft, while forward Thomas Haugh decided not to enter the process and will see an increase in minutes with three key seniors, led by Walter Clayton Jr., gone from last year’s team,” Myerberg notes.
“The Gators also added one of the biggest transfers of the spring in former Arkansas guard Boogie Fland — another player (who) considered turning pro before staying in school.”
CBS Sports: Florida primed to make another title run
“The reigning national champion saw its starting frontcourt of Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu withdraw from the draft to return to school. Their return solidifies Florida’s frontcourt depth as the best in the country. That group gave opposing teams nightmares during the NCAA Tournament,” states Salerno.
“Add in transfers Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee, and you have a team capable of making another title run next year.”
Sports Illustrated: Legitimate chance at repeat
“It had already been a strong offseason for Florida after Thomas Haugh elected to return for his junior season and star portal guards Xaivian Lee (Princeton) and Boogie Fland (Arkansas) committed to the Gators. That said, a huge part of Florida’s national title run in 2024–25 was its frontcourt, and Todd Golden will officially bring back the top four bigs from that squad with potential first-rounder Alex Condon returning to school,” Sweeney begins.
“Condon will be the Gators’ leading returning scorer and rebounder as he continues his upward trajectory from former Australian Rules Football star into serious NBA prospect. His toughness, versatility and feel for the game make him one of the most effective bigs in the SEC, and as he continues to get more comfortable on the perimeter, he could enter the All-American conversation,” he continues.
“Condon’s return gives the Gators a legitimate chance to repeat as national champions and positions them as a likely top-five team in the preseason.”
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball an overwhelming winner after NBA draft deadline passes
Reporting by Adam Dubbin, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
