Latest news with #ToddGolden
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
50 prospects withdraw from NBA draft
May 30 - Fifty early entry candidates withdrew from 2025 NBA Draft consideration ahead of this week's deadline, including two players returning to defending national champion Florida. In addition to forward Alex Condon and center Rueben Chinyelu of the Gators, the full list released by the league on Friday also includes a high-profile player transferring to Florida: guard Boogie Fland (Arkansas). Head coach Todd Golden's Gators finished a 36-4 season with a 65-63 win over Houston in the NCAA Tournament title game on April 7. Condon delivered 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals in the game, with fellow starter Chinyelu contributing three points, five boards and one block. Florida's other three starters -- guards Walter Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard -- have exhausted their NCAA eligibility. The NBA draft is scheduled for June 25-26. The full list of players withdrawing from the draft: Chad Baker-Mazara (Auburn) Quincy Ballard (Wichita State) Nate Bittle (Oregon) John Blackwell (Wisconsin) Jaden Bradley (Arizona) Miles Byrd (San Diego State) Rueben Chinyelu (Florida) Alex Condon (Florida) Tayton Conerway (Troy) Melvin Council Jr. (St. Bonaventure) Thierry Darlan (Delaware (NBA G League) Tae Davis (Notre Dame) Silas Demary Jr. (Georgia) Jerry Deng (Florida State) Treysen Eaglestaff (North Dakota) Isaiah Evans (Duke) Elijah Fisher (Pacific) Boogie Fland (Arkansas) PJ Haggerty (Memphis) Dominick Harris (UCLA) Chris Howell (UC San Diego) Josh Hubbard (Mississippi State) Karter Knox (Arkansas) Kobe Knox (South Florida) Toibu Lawal (Virginia Tech) Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB) Brenen Lorient (North Texas) Jaland Lowe (Pittsburgh) Ven-Allen Lubin (North Carolina) Nick Martinelli (Northwestern) Paul Mbiya (ASVEL, France) Camron McDowell (Northwestern Oklahoma State) Devin McGlockton (Vanderbilt) Mackenzie Mgbako (Indiana) Kebba Njie (Notre Dame) AK Okereke (Cornell) Otega Oweh (Kentucky) Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn) Labaron Philon (Alabama) Jaron Pierre Jr. (Jacksonville State) Devon Pryor (Texas) Joson Sanon (Arizona State) Raysean Seamster (UT-Arlington) Malik Thomas (San Francisco) Bruce Thornton Jr. (Ohio State) Milos Uzan (Houston) Brandon Walker (Montana State) Lamar Wilkerson (Sam Houston State) Darrion Williams (Texas Tech) Money Williams (Montana) --Field Level Media
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Todd Golden reacts to Alex Condon returning to Florida for junior year
Todd Golden reacts to Alex Condon returning to Florida for junior year Florida sophomore Alex Condon announced Tuesday on social media that he is withdrawing from the 2025 NBA draft and returning to school next season. Condon was named to the All-SEC second team by USA TODAY, averaging 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks on 49.3% shooting from the field. He ranked third in the conference in total rebounds (279) and seventh in blocked shots (49). The 7-footer was among the notable prospects who were still weighing their decisions ahead of the early entrant withdrawal deadline on Wednesday. Gators coach Todd Golden is excited to have his starting center back for another year. 'Really thrilled to get him back,' Golden said Tuesday at the SEC spring meetings in Florida, via Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel. 'He's had a great process. He got great feedback from some teams. We were worried there for a little bit that he would stay in.' Condon competed in the draft combine earlier this month, shooting 25-of-51 from the field in two 3-point shooting drills in Chicago, Illinois. He also registered a 2.76-second time in the shuttle run, the fourth-fastest among all participants this year. The Australian was considered a borderline first-round pick, likely factoring into his decision to forgo turning pro. He previously stated at the combine that he'd likely remain in consideration if he received a high first-round grade, adding that he'd be comfortable returning to Gainesville. Condon joins Rueben Chinyelu and Thomas Haugh in returning to the program. Golden and the Gators are also adding AJ Brown (Ohio), Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Xaivian Lee (Providence) via the transfer portal, the eighth-ranked class, according to 247Sports.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida star Alex Condon withdraws name from NBA Draft, will return to Gators for junior season
Sophomore forward Alex Condon played a major role in Florida winning its first national championship since the university went back-to-back during in 2006 and 2007. Now, Condon will look to repeat that feat after withdrawing his name from the 2025 NBA Draft. Condon announced that decision Tuesday — a day before the deadline for college players with remaining eligibility to withdraw from the NBA Draft. He cited the desire to go back-to-back as a major reason he opted to return to Florida for his junior year, per ESPN. "It's a hard thing to do, winning back-to-back," Condon said. "We're not taking it lightly. We need to get together as a team. Get back to Gainesville, share in some hardship through hard work in the summer, and get used to playing with each other. Part of the reason we were so good last season was we got used to playing with each other for two years. We need to continue that. When guys have your back, that's what makes a great team." Condon, who is Australian, averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds with the Gators last season. Those figures ranked fourth and first on the team, respectively. The 6-foot-11 forward ranked 41st on Yahoo Sports' NBA Draft big board, making him a possible early second-round pick. Condon pushed himself to excel offensively during private workouts with NBA teams, and told ESPN he "learned a lot about" himself during the draft process. Florida head coach Todd Golden echoed that sentiment Tuesday, and believes Condon "positioned himself nicely," by coming back to Florida for another year. Todd Golden says he's "thrilled" that Condon is returning to the Gators. Said he had a great process, with a lot of good feedback. "Fortunately, he's positioned himself nicely." — Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 27, 2025 Golden could be proven right. Condon should be in for a bigger role with the Gators with both Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin leaving for the 2025 NBA Draft. Clayton Jr. and Martin were the top two scorers on the Gators last season, so Condon could have more opportunities to excel on offense as a junior. With Condon and Will Richard returning (and the addition of Arkansas transfer Boogie Fland), Florida should once again be ranked as one of the top teams in college basketball entering next season. While winning back-to-back national championships will be difficult, Florida should receive a nice boost with Condon back in the fold.
Reuters
27-05-2025
- General
- Reuters
F Alex Condon opts out of NBA draft, returns to Florida
May 27 - Forward Alex Condon, who played a key role in Florida's run to the national championship, will return for his junior season after telling ESPN on Tuesday that he is withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-11 native of Australia averaged 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 37 games (35 starts) for the Gators in 2024-25. "It's a really good situation waiting for me there," Condon told ESPN. "A great coach with Todd Golden. Teammates I won a national championship with. I have great chemistry with those boys. We have a good transfer class coming in. I expect guys to make a leap. My big man coach Carlin Hartman is returning, so I will keep developing my game with him." The deadline for players to withdraw from the June 25-26 draft and maintain their college eligibility is Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Condon is ranked No. 38 in ESPN's latest draft projections. The third-team All-Southeastern Conference selection shot 49.3 percent from the field and 32.8 percent (19 of 58) from 3-point distance this season. He contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals in Florida's 65-63 victory against Houston in the NCAA Tournament final on April 7. "It's a hard thing to do, winning back-to-back," Condon said. "We're not taking it lightly. We need to get together as a team. ... Part of the reason we were so good last season was we got used to playing with each other for two years. We need to continue that. When guys have your back, that's what makes a great team." --Field Level Media
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida star Alex Condon withdraws name from NBA Draft, will return to Gators for junior season
Sophomore forward Alex Condon played a major role in Florida winning its first national championship since the university went back-to-back during in 2006 and 2007. Now, Condon will look to repeat that feat after withdrawing his name from the 2025 NBA Draft. Condon announced that decision Tuesday — a day before the deadline for college players with remaining eligibility to withdraw from the NBA Draft. He cited the desire to go back-to-back as a major reason he opted to return to Florida for his junior year, per ESPN. "It's a hard thing to do, winning back-to-back," Condon said. "We're not taking it lightly. We need to get together as a team. Get back to Gainesville, share in some hardship through hard work in the summer, and get used to playing with each other. Part of the reason we were so good last season was we got used to playing with each other for two years. We need to continue that. When guys have your back, that's what makes a great team." Condon, who is Australian, averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds with the Gators last season. Those figures ranked fourth and first on the team, respectively. The 6-foot-11 forward ranked 41st on Yahoo Sports' NBA Draft big board, making him a possible early second-round pick in the NBA Draft. Condon pushed himself to excel offensively during private workouts with NBA teams, and told ESPN he "learned a lot about" himself during the draft process. Florida head coach Todd Golden echoed that sentiment Tuesday, and believes Condon "positioned himself nicely," by coming back to Florida for another year. Todd Golden says he's "thrilled" that Condon is returning to the Gators. Said he had a great process, with a lot of good feedback. "Fortunately, he's positioned himself nicely." — Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 27, 2025 This story will be updated.
