Denzel Aberdeen is balling, and Gator fans don't know how to feel about it

When Denzel Aberdeen entered the transfer portal after Florida's 2025 NCAA men's basketball national championship run, it sent shockwaves through Gator Nation. Aberdeen wasn't just any bench player, he was the catalyst of Gator basketball, a reliable guard who could steady the offense and hit big shots when Florida needed them most.

After playing such a key role off the bench during the title run, his decision to transfer, and to an SEC rival like Kentucky, stung even more. Now, as the new season unfolds, it's becoming clear just how much the Gators miss him.

Denzel Aberdeen would be Florida's missing piece

Since joining the Wildcats, Aberdeen has turned into one of the breakout stars of the early college basketball season. He's averaging 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 53.1% from the field and 37.5% from three this season with the Wildcats.

At Kentucky, Aberdeen has become a consistent starter and a major contributor on both ends of the floor. His 26-point performance against Louisville, while in a loss, showcased just how dangerous he can be when the ball is in his hands.

For Florida, those numbers hit hard. The Gators entered the season with plenty of optimism, confident that their depth and new additions would carry the legacy left by departing players. But so far, the absence of Aberdeen has been glaring.

Xaivian Lee hasn't quite lived up to the billing, while Boogie Fland did have a solid showing against FSU. But neither Lee nor Fland has found their shooting touch from deep just yet.

Aberdeen's experience is something else that Florida misses. As a member of the National Championship team, he understood what it meant to thrive in big games and maintain composure under pressure. His mentality and strong work ethic helped to set a positive tone in the locker room. Even when he wasn't the top scorer, he had a knack for igniting a fire in his teammates.

Watching him excel in Lexington brings a mix of emotions for Gator fans. The reality is that Aberdeen transferred away in pursuit of more money, and the comments his dad made on the way out the door didn't help create warm, fuzzy feelings in Gainesville.

But there is no denying that Florida is lacking a true scoring guard right now, and watching Aberdeen succeed is a reminder of what could have been.