The men’s college basketball transfer portal closed its doors to new entries on Tuesday after a flurry of signings that still left a good amount of unsigned players heading into the summer practice season.
The Florida Gators saw a fair amount of activity, adding Princeton point guard Xaivian Lee while seeing point guard Denzel Aberdeen depart for Kentucky, while forward Sam Alexis and Kajus Kublickas are also still seeking greener pastures elsewhere.
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Now that we all have a better idea of what team rosters might look like heading into the 2025-26 campaign, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello updated his early men’s college basketball rankings. Despite adding one of the top transfer targets available this spring, he docked the Orange and Blue one spot, dropping it down to No. 19 this time around.
Explaining Florida basketball’s current ranking
“How will the Gators follow up an incredible season? It could depend on how Todd Golden rebuilds the perimeter,” Borzello begins.
“Walter Clayton Jr. is obviously the big departure, but Will Richard, Alijah Martin and Denzel Aberdeen are also out the door, with Aberdeen’s decision to transfer coming as a surprise,” he continues.
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“Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee was the biggest addition thus far, but Golden is still in the mix for several guards. Up front, the big question is the status of Alex Condon — he’s a borderline first-round pick and is going through the draft process. Thomas Haugh is a certain breakout candidate next season, while Rueben Chinyelu is also back down low.”
Florida’s 2025-26 projected starting lineup
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Xaivian Lee (16.9 PPG at Princeton)
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Cornelius Ingram Jr. (No. 26 in ESPN 100)
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Rueben Chinyelu (6.1 PPG)
ESPN’s full post-transfer portal men’s basketball rankings
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St. John’s Red Storm (+12)
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Texas Tech Red Raiders (-1)
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Louisville Cardinals (-1)
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Iowa State Cyclones (—)
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Tennessee Volunteers (+7)
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Michigan State Spartans (+1)
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Alabama Crimson Tide (-4)
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North Carolina Tar Heels (-2)
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Ohio State Buckeyes (—)
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball: Updated early rankings after transfer portal close
