On Wednesday night, Florida Basketball got great news when Princeton guard Xaivian Lee announced he would commit to Florida out of the transfer portal. He is expected to fill the void left behind by Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, and Alijah Martin graduating.
So with Lee in the mix, here is the projected starting lineup for the Gators for 2025/26.
Florida Basketball: Lee runs the point
One would have to assume that Lee is going to have a starting role when the 2025 season tips off. His step-back three is lethal, and he is willing to dish for an assist as needed.
Perhaps the one concern for Lee is whether his size will be an issue in the SEC. Lee is a great finisher at the rim, but at 180 pounds, he also gives up 15 to 20 pounds compared to all the other guards on Florida's roster this past season.
Denzel Aberdeen is ready to step up
After biding his time for the past two years, 2025/26 will be Denzel Aberdeen's chance to step up and lead the show.
What will be interesting to see is who Todd Golden entrusts to be the primary ball handler. Both Lee and Aberdeen are at their best with the ball in their hands, but Lee is a much better passer than Aberdeen.
This season, Lee had 165 assists and 179 field goals made, a near-even ratio. Aberdeen had 55 assists and 107 field goals made, a ratio of two baskets for every one assist.
Update: This was published Thursday morning. Denzel Aberdeen has entered the transfer portal on Friday afternoon, so as of now he will not be a starter for Florida in 2025/26.
Third guard up for debate
With Lee and Aberdeen on the floor, Florida is going to need a strong shooting guard for this slot. Urban Klavzar could fill this role, but he would need to show a massive improvement on defense to get any uptick in minutes.
Isaiah Brown spent this season waiting in the wings, but he has the potential to step up and be the third guard for the Gators too.
But what also could be the case is another transfer guard coming to Gainesville, and Florida is in the mix to land Ohio's AJ Brown, the older brother of Isaiah.
AJ was a 38.8% shooter from three this past season.
Alex Condon comes back
Even though he declared to go through the predraft process, Alex Condon feels like a guy who could benefit from one more year of college ball.
That's not just Gator goggles saying that; if he is going to make it in the NBA, he either needs a more reliable three-point shot or he needs to add about 20 pounds to his frame.
If Condon leaves, then Thomas Haugh would fill this role, assuming Haugh doesn't bolt for the NBA.
Rueben Chinyelu down low
The rotation of Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten for Florida worked well, and there is little need to switch it up for 2025/26.
We could see Olivier Rioux and/or Viktor Mikic start to get a handful of minutes, but this should still be the Chinyelu and Handlogten show.
Chinyelu did declare for the NBA Draft, but he hasn't been featured on any mock drafts floating around and it would be a surprise to see him leave Gainesville.