Video from Florida basketball’s open practice
The Florida Gators men’s basketball team took to the practice court on Tuesday. Here’s some video of the action.
There are understandable high expectations for Florida basketball for the 2025-26 season.
With one of the most experienced frontcourts in the country and key transfer portal additions, the Gators are expected to have a legitimate chance to defend the national title ― a feat that has only been done three times since 1990.
No. 3 Florida will open the season as the prime-time national game against No. 13 Arizona on Monday, Nov 3, in Las Vegas.
Alex Condon will have the big season everyone is expecting
Preseason All-American Alex Condon opted to return to Florida despite having significant NBA interest.
His personal goal was to make himself at least a first-round pick by the end of the season. If Condon stays healthy, he’ll be taken in the top 10 and be a legitimate candidate as National Player of the Year.
The Australian reportedly put up 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in the closed-doors exhibition game against Illinois. Condon will be a double-double machine for Florida this season.
It’s also worth noting that UF’s program will likely feature at least three players taken in the next NBA Draft.
Xaivian Lee will be All-SEC
Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee will have a breakout season and will be named SEC Newcomer of the Year when it’s all said and done.
In the exhibition against Illinois, which did not feature fellow transfer guard Boogie Fland, Lee reportedly scored 17 points and came up with eight assists.
Lee’s elite ability to pass was clearly evident in the team’s open practices for the media. The 6-foot-3 guard should lead the SEC in assists and will be known as one of the country’s elite passers by the end of the year.
Florida basketball will make another run to the Final Four
Florida’s schedule is all-around tougher compared to last season and arguably one of the most difficult in the country. Between the nonconference matchups against Arizona, Duke and UConn and the increasingly difficult SEC, it’s hard to see the Gators repeat.
In the preseason odds, Florida is the sixth overall favorite to win this year’s national championship at +1700.
It’ll be a tough road to the postseason, but the experience on Florida’s team will be a key factor in the Gators’ year.
UF will still go on a run come March, but its resume will look different compared to last year, and the journey to returning to a national title will not be smooth. With the odds and schedule against them, Florida will come just short of repeating as champs, but it will still be a memorable year and exciting season.
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at aabadie@gannett.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
