Before they even step onto the practice court, Gators men’s basketball players are already taking shots. But not free throws or 3-pointers. This is a different kind of shot — one that comes in a plastic scoop and has a single, staple ingredient: creatine.
Creatine is everywhere. It’s all the rage. Spend five minutes at Southwest Recreation Center and you’ll hear a gym bro mention it between sets.
But is it actually worth the hype? Could this scoop of white powder help Florida basketball defend its title come March?
Creatine is one of the most researched supplements for high-intensity performance. It helps your body replenish ATP — the fast, emergency energy source your muscles use for short, explosive efforts. Think grinding out that last squat when your legs are shaking, Tommy Haugh swatting away a shot at the rim or a tennis player ripping a forehand winner.
It’s also linked to recovery and mental performance. Research suggests it may reduce muscle damage and inflammation after intense training. It also supports brain energy metabolism, which can translate to better clarity and less fatigue. This is useful whether you’re in the fourth quarter or fourth hour studying at Library West.
Looking for an extra rep in your bench press? A sharper brain during midterms week? Creatine might be your answer.
UF redshirt senior Pablo Perez Ramos, currently undefeated at 9-0 this season, is a key member of the Gators men’s tennis lineup on court No. 4. Come to the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex and you’ll hear him before you see him: loud, confident and blowing his opponents off the court with his shots.
His rocket of a forehand rarely misses. And neither does Ramos’ daily creatine. Since arriving in The Swamp this past Fall, it’s been a consistent part of his routine.
“If I’m not taking creatine, I’m not lifting the same,” Ramos said.
In tennis, like most sports, off-court strength work quietly determines on-court outcomes. In college tennis, matches often hinge on the smallest of margins: deuce points, last service games or an extra half-step to reach a drop shot. That off-court work shows up late in the third set, when your legs feel heavy or your serve needs a little extra pop. Watch Ramos in those moments. You’ll see it.
And it’s not only for guys and gym bros. Women naturally have lower baseline creatine stores, which means they may see particular benefits from taking creatine.
Just over a week ago, I started taking creatine myself. I feel sharper, more energized and mentally clearer. I PR’d on my bench press like a different person and walked out of my last accounting exam feeling like I maybe — possibly — understood what was happening.
Could it be placebo? Maybe. But those bench press numbers don’t lie. And accounting has never been my strong suit. So, I’ll take the win.
Gators sports nutritionist Julia Skinner, who works closely with Florida baseball, women’s tennis and women’s basketball, said about 50% to 60% of the athletes she works with are taking creatine. The biggest improvements, she said, come from her athletes who pair it with consistent habits: eating balanced meals, proper hydration, quality sleep and taking it daily instead of whenever they remember.
So, is the creatine hype justified? Maybe a little. But it’s not just another TikTok trend like cottage cheese ice cream or walking pads. It’s been studied for decades and used by athletes long before social media influencers figured out how to monetize it.
If you’re training hard and trying to squeeze every ounce of performance out of your body — whether that’s chasing PRs at Southwest Rec or blasting forehands like Ramos — creatine might be your golden ticket.
Maybe the better question isn’t: Is the creatine hype justified?
Maybe it’s: Are you just late to the party?
Contact India Houghton at ihoughton@alligator.org. Follow her on X @indiahoughton16.
India Houghton is a graduate student studying Business Management and a member of the UF women’s tennis team. She is the sports opinion columnist for The Alligator. A Northern California native, India completed her undergraduate studies at Stanford University in Science, Technology and Society, competing for the Cardinal women’s tennis team. She enjoys playing the piano, taking ice baths, and rooting for her hometown 49ers.
