GAINESVILLE — Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen is moving on after he played a key role for the Gators’ national championship team.
Aberdeen posted on his Instagram Friday he plans to enter the transfer portal, a surprising decision given the trajectory of the former Dr. Phillips standout.
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound junior had steadily increased his value during his three seasons to position himself for a starting role as a senior.
“He has a chance to be one of the better guards in the SEC next year,” coach Todd Golden said March 18, prior to the NCAA Tournament.
Aberdeen would have key moments during UF’s title run. None was bigger than a driving layup to ignite an 8-0 run against Houston during the Gators 65-63 come-from-behind win in the championship game.
Following the win, Aberdeen told the Orlando Sentinel he was “very excited” for what lay ahead for his final season at Florida.
“Our goal is to win another one,” he said. “But right now, I’m just going to have fun on my teammates and celebrate them.”
Aberdeen’s about-face could have been influenced by Wednesday’s commitment from Princeton’s Xaivian Lee. A 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard, Lee averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals this past season and clearly is accustomed to having the ball in his hands.
Aberdeen averaged 7.7 points and was a hard-nosed defender.
Financial considerations inevitably play a factor in the age of name, image and likeness. A player who factored heavily in a national championship has negotiating power, as well as suitors from other schools willing to pay.
Aberdeen would have been a fan favorite and the top returner in a backcourt losing three stars in Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard.
Meanwhile, forward Sam Alexis also announced he’ll transfer after one season with the Gators following his transfer from Chattanooga. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Alexis, a junior who hails from Apopka, averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds in 2023-24. But other than one minute of mop-up duty during the Gators 87-71 win against Maryland in the Sweet 16 did not appear during the Gators’ final 16 games after he injured his ankle.
The departure of Aberdeen, Alexis and sophomore guard Kajus Kublickas leaves UF with spots to fill.
Sophomore post players Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu also are exploring their professional options.
The 6-foot-10, 230-pound Condon led UF with seven double-doubles and has an NBA future, yet also could use another season to refine his game. The 6-foot-10, 260-pound Chinyelu, who averaged 6 points and 6.6 rebounds, must continue to develop his overall game.
He and Condon will receive ample feedback from NBA teams to benefit them similar to Clayton and Richard a year ago before each decided to return for a final college season.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Originally Published: