Gators' Offseason Moves: Who's out when Florida defends its national title in 2026?

Florida's lineup will look much different next season
Apr 7, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (11) and center Rueben Chinyelu (9) react after a play against the Houston Cougars during the second half of the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (11) and center Rueben Chinyelu (9) react after a play against the Houston Cougars during the second half of the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The reality of college basketball in the modern era is that rosters will look much different from year to year, and the Florida Gators are no exception to this rule. After winning the national title two weeks ago, Florida fans are trying to figure out who exactly will still be in Gainesville when the Gators take the court next season.

The following are the guys who, for sure, will not still be in town when Florida tries to defend its national title.

Walter Clayton Jr. is on the Florida Basketball Mount Rushmore

All good things must come to an end and Walter Clayton Jr. gets to ride off into the sunset after bringing home the third national title in program history.

Even if he wasn't a projected first-round draft pick in the NBA, he is out of NCAA eligibility.

Will Richard

At times Will Richard was the forgotten member of the starting lineup, but he also came through at some of the biggest moments of the season and one could argue he saved his best for last.

With Clayton struggling in the national title game, Richard had 18 points and eight rebounds to keep the Gators afloat until Clayton got things going.

Alijah Martin

It only took one season, but Alijah Martin cemented himself into Gator folklore. His defensive play was excellent, and his ability to posterize guys at the rim will forever be remembered.

Like Clayton and Richard, he was a senior this year and will be out of eligibility.

Bennett Andersen

The viral sensation himself, Bennett Andersen, is listed as a graduate student on Florida's roster and, on paper, would be out of eligibility for next season.

Denzel Aberdeen

This one caught people off guard as it seemed like Denzel Aberdeen was a shoo-in to be a starter in 2025/26.

But when he hit the transfer portal on Friday and committed to Kentucky on Monday, reports started floating around that he was seeking up to $2 million in NIL money, and Florida simply wasn't going to pay that.

Gator fans will get to see Aberdeen when the Wildcats come to town next season.

Sam Alexis

After transferring in from Chattanooga, Sam Alexis was a mainstay in Florida's lineup, getting 15-20 minutes a game.

He had an ankle injury against Mississippi State, but his minutes were starting to dip to around seven per game even before the injury. Once Micah Handlogten returned, the only time we saw Alexis on the court was a mop-up minute against Maryland.

Alexis is back in the transfer portal.

Kajus Kublickas

The guard from Lithuania just never cracked the lineup in two years in Gainesville, and he has opted for the transfer portal.

Wait and See

The two mysteries for Florida are Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, both of whom have entered their name into the NBA Draft with the possibility to return to Florida. They both have until June to decide if they are going to return or if they are going to stay in the draft.

Condon has a decent shot at being a 1st round pick, while mock drafts don't have Chinyelu on the radar.

Schedule

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