The Florida Gators wound up with three players drafted in the NBA Draft between Wednesday and Thursday. Walter Clayton Jr. went to the Utah Jazz in the first round, while Alijah Martin went to the Toronto Raptors and Will Richard to the Golden State Warriors in the second round.
Once upon a time, it was commonplace to see that many Gators drafted in a single draft, but a couple of stats showcase just how far Florida had fallen prior to this trio sparking a run to the national title.
Florida Gator trio does something not done since 2007
For the first time since 2007, Florida had at least three players drafted in a single NBA Draft. That particular class was coming off Florida's second straight national title and had five players get drafted: Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah, Chris Richard, and Taurean Green.
Florida continued a pipeline of having at least one guy getting drafted in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
And then the desert wasteland began.
The Florida Gators had more players drafted this year than the previous 11 years combined. Outside of Tre Mann and Scottie Lewis getting drafted in 2021, no one else from Florida had been drafted prior to this week.
It highlights a truth that most Gator fans are now willing to admit, even if some were not willing to admit it three years ago:
The Mike White Era just wasn't good enough in Gainesville.
We've beaten this horse to a bloody pulp, but what Georgia fans experienced this year is what Florida fans had to endure year after year until Todd Golden arrived.
It also highlights the importance of the transfer portal in the modern era. Clayton, Martin, and Richard all came to Gainesville via the transfer portal. The Gators also had in recent years Keyontae Johnson and Andrew Nembhard transfer away from Florida and go on to get drafted with their new team.
And if the 2025-26 squad lives up to its billing after Golden was aggressive in the transfer portal, Florida should have a treasure trove of players who will also get drafted next season.