Florida’s latest major offseason move, and perhaps its final big domino to fall, came in the form of forward Alex Condon withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft pool on Tuesday, making him set to return for his junior season with the Gators as they aim to repeat as national champions in 2025-26.
The 6-foot-11, 221-pound Condon in April announced his plan to test the NBA Draft waters shortly after Florida’s 65-63, NCAA Tournament final victory over Houston in San Antonio, Texas, marking the third national championship in Gators’ men’s basketball history.
Condon maintained his college eligibility at that time, however. Throughout his draft process, which included an invitation to the NBA Combine, Condon expressed that should he play his junior season of college hoops, it would only be with UF.
In his first season as a full-time starter for Florida in 2024-25, Condon averaged 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks over 24.9 minutes per contest, appearing in 37 games. He converted 49.3 percent of his shots from the field, including 32.8 percent from three-point range.
Florida head coach Todd Golden last Thursday expressed optimism that Condon would elect to return to the program over remaining in the NBA Draft pool.
“We’ve had good conversations with Alex. We’ve been really respectful of his process, and he’s been great in terms of communicating with us, in terms of where everything’s at,” Golden said Thursday.
“I’m cautiously optimistic, but we’re going to, again, be very mindful of his process. He’s getting great workouts with teams. He’s looked good in different combine events. I think we’ll find out, my hope is on the 27th – the day before the deadline – and I’m hoping for good news for the Gators. But I love Condo regardless, and he obviously was really impactful in his winning national championship. So we’re grateful for him.”
Social media erupted upon the news of Condon’s return. Find the best reactions below.
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