Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore guard Denzel Aberdeen dunks the ball over the head of UF head coach Todd Golden in the Gators' Orange & Blue scrimmage on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators men’s basketball get ready for season in Orange & Blue Scrimmage

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 3, 2023

The Florida Gators men’s basketball gave fans their first look at the team in the team’s Orange & Blue scrimmage Thursday night. The event consisted of a scrimmage, a 3-point contest and a dunk contest. The night was highlighted by sophomore guard Denzel Aberdeen. He won the dunk contest and followed his victory with a dunk over the head of head coach Todd Golden.

Graduate student guard Julian Rishwain attempts a layup during the Florida Gators men's basketball open practice on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Analysis: What can Julian Rishwain bring to the Gators?

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 3, 2023

The Gators received uplifting news when graduate student guard Julian Rishwain announced he’ll be ready to play the Gators’ season opener against Loyola Maryland, he said Thursday night. So what exactly does Rishwain bring to the Gators’ rotation?

Sophomore center Micah Handlogten dribbles the ball down the court during the Florida Gators men's basketball open practice on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.

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Todd Golden breaks down Gators’ scrimmage against Miami

By Jackson Reyes | Oct. 24, 2023

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team played a secret scrimmage against the Miami Hurricanes this past weekend and came away with a 91-89 victory behind closed doors. Although Florida’s victory won’t count to its 2023 record, the win is still impressive with the Hurricanes being the preseason Associated Press No. 13 team in the country.

Sophomore guard Denzel Aberdeen goes against two defenders in the Gators’ open practice on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida men’s basketball report, potential starters from preseason practices

By Brandon Hernandez | Oct. 23, 2023

The Florida Gators 2023-2024 men’s basketball team brought nine new additions and had six returners, including Kugel, who look to compete collectively to reach this goal.

Florida head coach Todd Golden stands on the court during the Gators' practice the day before their Southeastern Conference tournament game Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

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Gators transfer forward EJ Jarvis stepping away from team

By Jackson Reyes | Oct. 5, 2023

The Gators will be without transfer forward EJ Jarvis for the 2023-2024 regular season after he announced on Instagram that he would be stepping away from the game of basketball.

Graduate student guard Zyon Pullin dribbles around a screen during the Florida Gators Mens Basketball open practice on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.

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Zyon Pullin set to miss first three games of Gators basketball season

By Krisha Sanghavi | Sep. 29, 2023

Florida graduate student point guard Zyon Pullin was hit with a three-game suspension for the 2023-24 Gators basketball season due to his participation in the Portsmouth Invitational.

Junior guard Walter Clayton dribbles the ball against sophomore guard Denzel Aberdeen in Florida's open practice on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.

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Clayton talks recruitment, offseason going into first season at UF

By Brandon Hernandez | Sep. 27, 2023

Gators junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. returned to his home state this offseason to play for the team he grew up watching. It was a tough decision for the transfer guard to make, but he wanted to build something special with Florida’s backcourt.

Aleks Szymczyk stands on the court in the Gators men's basketball's 81-60 win against South Carolina Gamecocks on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023.

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Szymczyk to miss 10-12 weeks of action

By Brandon Hernandez | Sep. 1, 2023

Florida men’s basketball sophomore forward Aleks Szymczyk will miss 10 to 12 weeks of action after he broke his foot in practice Tuesday, according to Chris Harry, senior writer for the Florida Gators.

Aleks Szymczyk looks to pass the ball in the Gators men's basketball's 81-60 win against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Aleks Szymczyk adapted to brand-new ballgame in Gainesville

By Brandon Hernandez | July 10, 2023

Florida sophomore forward Aleks Szymczyk moved from Germany to the United States for an opportunity to play with the Gators. Upon arrival, he met the challenge of adapting to collegiate basketball in the U.S.

Florida forward Colin Castleton — pictured during the Gators' game against Stony Brook Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 — scored a career-high 33 points versus Kennesaw State Friday night.

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Los Angeles Lakers sign Castleton, Fudge to NBA contracts

By Brandon Hernandez | June 23, 2023

The Los Angeles Lakers signed Colin Castleton and Alex Fudge as undrafted free agents after the conclusion of the 2023 NBA Draft Friday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

No. 3 center in the class of 2024 John Bol commits to Florida

By Brandon Hernandez | June 10, 2023

Sunrise Christian Academy center John Bol announced his commitment to the Florida Gators and head coach Todd Golden Saturday.

Florida head coach Todd Golden coaches the Gators' during a practice the day before their Southeastern Conference tournament game Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Golden gets familiar face as San Francisco transfer Julian Rishwain commits to Gators

By Bennett Solomon | June 9, 2023

San Francisco transfer guard Julian Rishwain committed to Florida basketball and head coach Todd Golden Friday.

Florida head coach Todd Golden watches his team from the sideline during the Gators' 69-68 loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Thursday, March 9, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UC Riverside transfer guard Zyon Pullin commits to Florida

By Brandon Hernandez | June 7, 2023

UC Riverside senior transfer guard Zyon Pullin committed to the Florida Gators men’s basketball team and head coach Todd Golden Wednesday, according to reports from ESPN’s Jeff Borzello.

The Florida men’s basketball team huddles prior to its win over West Virginia on Jan. 30, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

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Four-star shooting guard Isaiah Brown commits to Gators

By Brandon Hernandez | May 14, 2023

Orlando Christian Prep shooting guard Isaiah Brown has committed to the Florida Gators recruiting class of 2024 Sunday, according to On3’s Joe Tipton.

Florida head coach Todd Golden coaches the Gators' men's basketball team during a practice the day before its Southeastern Conference tournament game Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators transfer portal report: UF signed Tyrese Samuel, in contact with guards

By Brandon Hernandez | Apr. 17, 2023

The two players — Iona sophomore transfer guard Walter Clayton Jr. and Marshall freshman transfer center Micah Handlogten — joined Yale graduate transfer forward EJ Jarvis as a part of UF’s recruiting class. However, the Gators still need three more players to complete a 15-man roster for the 2023-2024 season.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Former Seton Hall forward Tyrese Samuel commits to Golden, Florida

By Brandon Hernandez | Apr. 16, 2023

The Gators men's basketball team landed its fourth transfer of the offseason. Former Seton Hall senior forward Tyrese Samuel announced his commitment to Florida Sunday night on Twitter.

Florida forward Alex fudge stands on the court during the Gators' 69-68 loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament Thursday, March 9, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Alex Fudge declares for 2023 NBA Draft

By Kyle Bumpers | Apr. 13, 2023

Florida sophomore forward Alex Fudge will forgo his remaining years of eligibility and enter the 2023 National Basketball Association Draft, according to 247Sports’ Jacob Rudner.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators land Iona standout guard Walter Clayton Jr.

By Jackson Reyes | Apr. 11, 2023

Iona sophomore guard Walter Clayton Jr. announced his commitment to the Gators Tuesday. He chose Florida over St. John's and is the third player to join UF through the transfer portal. Clayton was named the 2022-2023 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference player of the year.

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Gators transfer portal report: Florida signs Jarvis, Handlogten

By Brandon Hernandez | Apr. 10, 2023

The Florida Gators men’s basketball program continues to recruit players in the transfer portal to build UF’s 2023-2024 roster going into year two under head coach Todd Golden and his staff.

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Florida adds Sun Belt Freshman of the Year from transfer portal

By Brandon Hernandez | Apr. 10, 2023

Marshall transfer freshman center Micah Handlogten announced Monday on Twitter he committed to the Florida Gators. The seven-footer chose the Gators over Auburn, Georgia, Missouri and four other schools from his top eight.