Florida's Alex Condon Stops NBA Draft Participation for 2025
Alex Condon, the Florida Gators' towering center, has decided to forgo the 2025 NBA draft and return to Gainesville for his junior season, announcing his decision via ESPN's Jonathan Givony.
Condon expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming season, citing the presence of Head Coach Todd Golden, his championship-winning teammates, and the addition of a promising transfer class as key factors. The big man is particularly eager to continue working with assistant coach Carlin Hartman to improve his game.
The 6-foot-11 Condon, who celebrated his 21st birthday on July 25, worked out privately for eight NBA teams before deciding to return. He also spent five weeks preparing for the draft in Irvine, California.
ESPN ranks Condon as the No. 38 prospect in their draft projections. He joined the Gators as a 3-star recruit and the No. 32 center in his class, according to 247Sports, after arriving in Gainesville in 2023.
Condon played a crucial role in Florida's national championship run in the 2024-25 season, contributing 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 24.9 minutes per game while shooting 49.3% from the field and 32.8% from beyond the arc. His impressive performances earned him a spot on the third-team All-SEC.
In the national championship game against Houston, Condon almost pulled off a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds, in addition to contributing four steals. His clutch play, including a crucial dive for a loose ball in the final seconds, significantly contributed to the Gators' 65-63 victory.
Reflecting on the season, Condon highlighted the team's depth and unselfish play, noting the importance of bonding in their successful defense of the national championship.
Florida's roster will see some changes for the upcoming season, with the departures of Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, Will Richard, and Condon initially leaving a void. However, the team retains starting center Rueben Chinyelu and sixth man Thomas Haugh, who is expected to transition into the starting small forward position.
Boosting the roster are transfers Xaivian Lee from Princeton, Boogie Fland from Arkansas, and AJ Brown from Ohio. Florida has also signed top-40 recruits CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd in the 2025 class.
The potential starting lineup for next season, assuming Condon's return is finalized, could feature Condon, Haugh, Chinyelu, Lee, and Fland, aiming to defend the SEC title and potentially secure another national championship.
As the NCAA deadline for NBA draft withdrawals falls on Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET, the Gators await Condon's official paperwork to confirm his return and set the final pieces of their 2025-2026 roster in place.
- Alex Condon, eager to continue his development, is looking forward to working with assistant coach Carlin Hartman during his junior season with the Florida Gators.
- Despite working out for eight NBA teams and preparing for the NBA draft in Irvine, California, Alex Condon decided to return to Gainesville for his junior season.
- ESPN ranks Alex Condon as the No. 38 prospect in their draft projections, having contributed 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 24.9 minutes per game in the 2024-25 season.
- The Florida Gators' potential starting lineup for the 2025-2026 season, if Condon finalizes his return, could include him, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, Xaivian Lee, and Boogie Fland, with the aim of defending the SEC title and potentially securing another national championship.
