CJ Ingram's Massive Rise in 247Sports 2025 Rankings: What It Means for Florida Gators Basketball

CJ Ingram's basketball journey is nothing short of remarkable. Once ranked as the 254th prospect in the 2025 cycle, he now finds himself sitting at 36th overall in 247Sports rankings—a massive rise that speaks to his potential.

This surge is impressive not only because of the sheer jump in his ranking, but also due to his decision to fully commit to basketball after initially being viewed as a football recruit. His talent, work ethic, and recent development on the court have turned heads, pushing him closer to five-star status.

Ingram’s journey highlights how critical a singular focus on basketball has been for his development. After excelling in football, where he led Hawthorne to back-to-back state championships as the team’s quarterback, Ingram publicly announced over the summer that he would be pursuing basketball full-time.

This decision paid immediate dividends. His rapid ascent from 254th to his current ranking of 36th overall reflects his growth as a basketball player, and he’s positioned to become a crucial piece for Florida’s 2025 recruiting class.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 195 pounds, CJ Ingram is physically gifted. His size, strength, and athleticism make him an imposing presence on the court, particularly as a two-way player who excels at attacking the rim and playing tenacious defense.

Ingram’s ability to initiate contact and thrive in physical matchups is already well-documented, but there’s even more to his game.

What makes Ingram special is his versatility and upside. He has shown glimpses of guard skills, and while his shooting remains a work in progress—he shot just 18% from three-point range in the EYBL—there’s reason to believe he will continue to improve.

His flat shot mechanics aren’t a major red flag, and as he dedicates more time to basketball, his shooting form should develop. The next step in his game will be improving his decision-making, as evidenced by his negative assist-to-turnover ratio.

However, given his youth and relative inexperience in basketball, there’s plenty of room for optimism regarding his growth.

The Impact on Florida Gators Basketball

Ingram's commitment to the Gators is a significant win for head coach Todd Golden and the Florida basketball program. Florida’s 2025 class is currently ranked 8th nationally, and with Ingram rising in the rankings, the potential for this class to break into the top five remains realistic.

In addition to Ingram, the Gators have secured a commitment from combo guard Alex Lloyd, ranked 42nd in the country. The combination of Lloyd’s consistent playmaking ability and Ingram’s physicality and upside gives Florida a formidable foundation to build around.

Once Ingram arrives in Gainesville, he will immediately bring a combination of size, athleticism, and defensive prowess to the Gators. His ability to guard multiple positions will allow Coach Golden to deploy him in various roles, especially in a modern game that values switchable defenders. Offensively, Ingram’s potential as a slasher and finisher should complement Florida’s current system. He already displays an aggressive style of play, going right at defenders and drawing contact, and his ability to create in transition is a key asset for the Gators’ fast-paced offense.