by Florida Gators Eye Back-to-Back Titles as Todd Golden Hints at Final Key Addition
Just a month after clinching their third national championship, the Florida Gators aren’t taking their foot off the gas. Head coach Todd Golden is still hard at work rebuilding and reloading the roster for another title run.
With the team’s top three guards entering the NBA Draft, Denzel Aberdeen hitting the transfer portal, and questions surrounding the futures of Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, Golden has had to make major adjustments. So far, he’s brought in two talented transfer guards—Xaivian Lee and AJ Brown—and he isn’t done yet.
“We’re still working on it,” Golden shared on the Run It Back podcast, hosted by former Gator Chandler Parsons. “We’re close to adding an impactful player that might help get us over the top.”
Golden didn’t name names, but his comments came shortly after former Arkansas star guard Boogie Fland withdrew from the NBA Draft and began exploring a return to college. Fland, a New York native who averaged 13.5 points per game as a freshman, has been strongly linked to Florida—and reports suggest the Gators are currently the front-runners for his commitment. Golden has even been spotted visiting Fland in New York.
Even with Lee and Brown already on board, Fland would likely slide into a starting role if he chooses Florida. During his freshman season, he posted solid numbers: nearly 38% shooting from the field, 34% from beyond the arc, and over five assists per game.
Alongside potential new recruits, Golden is also hoping to retain some key pieces from last year’s squad. Alex Condon, currently testing NBA waters and appearing in some late first-round mocks, is still weighing his options.
“Alex’s decision will be really important,” Golden said. “He has a great opportunity here if he returns. With Tommy Haugh coming back—and they’re best friends—I think that could help sway him.”
The Gators are also waiting on a final decision from Rueben Chinyelu, who started every game at center last season and was a defensive anchor in the paint.
If both Condon and Chinyelu return and Golden lands one more high-impact transfer like Fland, Florida could be poised for another deep March Madness run—perhaps even a repeat of the back-to-back titles the program won in 2006 and 2007.
“If we can lock in a couple more pieces, I’m confident we’ll have a roster that can compete,” Golden said. “You just have to get yourself into the mix and hope for some good breaks. But this group could absolutely be playing deep into March.”
