BREAKING: F Alex Condon returns back to Gators to spend another year with the defending National Champs 🐊 This development Instantly puts Florida as one of the best teams in the country 🔥

In a monumental boost for the defending NCAA men’s basketball champions, Florida Gators sophomore forward Alex Condon has announced his decision to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft and return to Gainesville for the 2025-26 season. The 6-foot-11, 230-pound Australian star, who played a pivotal role in Florida’s third national title in 2024-25, instantly transforms the Gators into one of the top teams in the country, with many analysts projecting them as the preseason No. 1 or a top-five contender.

Condon’s return is a game-changer for a Florida squad that finished the 2024-25 season with a 36-4 record, culminating in a thrilling 65-63 victory over Houston in the national championship game. During that game, Condon’s hustle—diving for a loose ball in the final seconds—sealed the Gators’ triumph. His sophomore stats were impressive: 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game across 37 starts, earning him third-team All-SEC honors and three SEC Player of the Week awards. Despite an ankle injury hampering his NCAA Tournament performance, Condon’s versatility as a playmaking hub, rim protector, and emerging three-point shooter (42.9% in 2024-25) made him a projected first-round pick, with ESPN slotting him at No. 26 to the Atlanta Hawks.

By returning, Condon joins a stacked Florida roster featuring returning frontcourt mate Rueben Chinyelu, forward Thomas Haugh, and newcomers like five-star guard Boogie Fland and transfer Xaivian Lee. This lineup, under coach Todd Golden’s dynamic system, blends size, athleticism, and perimeter firepower. Condon’s ability to handle the ball, thread passes, and defend multiple positions complements Golden’s strategy of relentless frontcourt pressure. Posts on X reflect the excitement, with one user proclaiming, “Condon’s back? Gators are easily preseason #1!” Another noted, “With Condon, Fland, and Lee, Florida’s frontcourt and backcourt are unstoppable.”

Condon’s decision, announced just before the May 29, 2025, NBA Draft withdrawal deadline, was not without deliberation. He told ESPN, “If I had a guaranteed first-round spot, I’d have considered staying in. But Florida’s a great situation, and I want to win another title.” His return bolsters a team already ranked ninth by Torvik’s Roster Cast with him, but just 19th without him. Analysts like CBS Sports’ Matt Salerno argue that another year could elevate Condon into lottery-pick territory, given his 7-foot wingspan, fluid movement, and improving perimeter game.

For Florida, Condon’s presence signals a serious bid for back-to-back titles, a feat not achieved since the Gators’ 2006-07 run. Facing a grueling SEC schedule with rivals like Auburn and Tennessee, Condon’s tenacity—evident in his 12-point, 12-rebound, four-assist, zero-turnover game against Tennessee—will be crucial. As Gator Nation celebrates, Condon’s return positions Florida as a powerhouse, ready to defend their crown and dominate college basketball in 2025-26.