Three burning questions for Florida Basketball now that the offseason is here

For the first time in three seasons, Florida Basketball returned to the NCAA Tournament only to run into a ref show that helped derail their season. Despite the disappointing end, the season was still considered a success for Todd Golden and company after going 24-12 and reaching the finals of the SEC Tournament.

But now that the offseason is upon us, what are some of the key questions surrounding the Gators to be ready for the 2024-25 campaign?

Florida Basketball Burning Questions

1. Will Walter Clayton return next season?

Walter Clayton transferred into Florida last offseason from Iona, where he was the MAAC Player of the Year. Any mystery as to whether or not his game would translate from a mid-major to the SEC was eased as the Lake Wales native wound up averaging 17.6 points per game, 3.6 assist per game, and shot 87% from the free throw line.

Clayton was a junior this season and so on paper he still has one more year of eligibility left. When reporters talked to Clayton after the loss to Colorado, he did not indicate whether or not he would come back for another run in Gainesville.

There isn't a ton of draft buzz around Clayton, and most seem to think he would be a fringe second round pick at best, but he has seen his stock rise this season and it only takes one team to believe in him to make the jump to the NBA.

2. Who does Portal God Todd go get?

Once Golden can get firm answers on Clayton, he can get to work with what he does best, the transfer portal.

Both seasons he has been in Gainesville, Golden has brought in a slew of players out of the portal. This season Golden leaned on Zyon Pullin, Tyrese Samuel, and Clayton, all players he grabbed last offseason.

Pullin and Samuel have used up their eligibility and will need to be replaced. And if one thinks the transfer portal in football is a circus, just try and navigate the portal in college basketball.

It is a roster building strategy that Golden showcased can have merit, he just needs to make sure he sticks the landing and finds the right guys.

3. Will Riley Kugel take a step forward in 2024-25?

Riley Kugel came to Florida as a top 50 player out of the class of 2022 and had a solid freshman campaign, earning SEC All-Freshman honors.

But after starting the first 11 games of the season this year, Kugel was relegated to coming off the bench once SEC play began. Against Ole Miss, Alabama and Vanderbilt, Kugel saw just single digit minutes and played less than 20 minutes in five other games.

Like Clayton, it is unclear what Kugel's plans are heading into 2024-25, but if he suits up in a Gator jersey and can take a step forward this offseason he can become a real problem for the rest of the SEC next season.