Program Builders: 2000 UF Team Looks Back On 25th Anniversary Of Magical NCAA Run

When Billy Donovan took over as the coach of the Florida men’s program in 1996, the Gators were far from a household name in college basketball.

At the time, Florida had made only five NCAA Tournament appearances in its history and it was considered a “football school.” But by Donovan’s fourth season, the program had undergone a complete transformation, culminating in the 1999-2000 team’s historic run to the national championship game. That season didn’t just make history — it redefined the Gators as a rising basketball powerhouse.

Now, 25 years later, the 1999-2000 Florida Gators (29-8) remain a landmark team in the university’s history, a group which elevated the program to national prominence and set the stage for its future success. And as this year’s No. 3-ranked team (30-4) gets set for a potential deep NCAA Tournament run of its own after receiving a No. 1 seed in the West Regional, that road was paved by unforgettable guys such as Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem, Brett Nelson, Matt Bonner and Teddy Dupay.

With a 12–4 record in SEC play, Florida captured a share of the regular-season conference title alongside Tennessee, Kentucky and LSU — just the second league title in school history. The Gators earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and embarked on an unforgettable ride that included thrilling moments, an iconic buzzer-beater and a team chemistry that left an indelible mark on Florida basketball history.

“We weren’t just a football school anymore,” said Brent Wright, a junior forward on the team and one of Donovan’s captains. “What we built together that year put Florida basketball on the map.”

Building Team

After an unexpected trip to the Final Four in 1994 under Lon Kruger, Florida’s true signature moment happened two years later, when Jeremy Foley, UF’s athletic director at the time, hired 30-year-old Donovan in 1996. Foley took a calculated risk, bringing in a young coach with just two years of prior head coaching experience at Marshall. But Donovan’s pedigree — he played for Rick Pitino at Providence and competed in the 1987 Final Four — impressed Foley.

“You look back, and Billy made me look like the smartest guy in the world,” Foley said. “He had incredible passion, energy and vision. He conveyed a plan to elevate Florida basketball and he executed it beautifully.”

Donovan’s youth and energy resonated with players in a way few coaches could replicate. Justin Hamilton, one of the team’s freshmen that season, said Donovan’s relatability set him apart.

“What attracted me most to Billy Donovan was his age,” Hamilton said. “He was able to relate to us more, on a more comfortable level than the other coaches because he was so much younger.”

Donovan’s first major recruiting class in 1998 included Dupay, a sharpshooting guard who committed early. Dupay, Florida’s all-time leading high school scorer with 3,744 points, had dreamed of playing at Duke but was sold on Donovan’s vision.

“Billy told me, ‘I know Florida isn’t the cool choice right now, but if you commit early, we can get top players to follow,’” Dupay said. “We started building this team before we even got to campus.”

Dupay wasn’t the only one who bought in. Haslem, a tough and physical forward from Miami, and Wright were part of the same AAU team, the Florida Flash, that Dupay helped organize in high school. The camaraderie they built on the court before arriving at Florida played a crucial role in the team’s chemistry.

Pivotal Recruiting Win

Miller, a late addition to the ’98 recruiting class, provided the perfect complement to Florida’s core. Miller, from tiny Mitchell, South Dakota, was a consensus national top-10 player and the first McDonald’s All-American to hail from his state. He picked Florida over established powerhouses like Kansas and North Carolina that surprised many.

It was by far the biggest recruiting win of the Donovan era.

“That was the signing that really flipped the program on its head,” Wright said.

In an interview on The Field of 68: After Dark with Patric Young, Donovan reflected on recruiting Miller: 

“I had made a decision with Mike Miller after seeing him play that that was the guy who I thought was a great fit for us,” Donovan said. “We followed him for 24 straight days. John Pelphrey and I followed their van from Vegas, through the desert, into L.A. We tried to do outside-the-box things. We developed a great relationship with Mike, and he liked the player development. He wanted to go somewhere they would invest time in him.

“Mike told me, ‘Everybody keeps telling me how they’re going to build their program around me, and no one is telling me what I need to do to get better. You watched me play all this time; I want you to critique my game and tell me where to get better.”

The signing came with controversy. Kansas coach Roy Williams publicly challenged Donovan, alleging recruiting violations. A 10-month investigation found no wrongdoing. But Miller’s decision cemented his place as a pivotal figure in Florida’s basketball history. 

Practices under Donovan were grueling yet exhilarating, players said. The team lifted weights three times a week, completed 20 suicides in 20 minutes every Tuesday morning and learned plays they wouldn’t use until opponents ran them weeks later.

“Practice was like a war,” Wright said. “If you didn’t bring your A-game, you got exposed. But it was fun and we loved to compete.”

The hard work paid off. Florida finished the regular season 29-8, including that 12-4 record in conference play. Sharing the SEC title was a milestone for the program, but the Gators were just getting started.

NCAA Tournament Run

The Gators’ tournament began with a heart-stopping game against No. 12 seed Butler. Trailing the Bulldogs by two points late in regulation, Haslem sank two clutch free throws with 15 seconds left to force overtime.

Florida, however, needed a little help in the extra session. With Butler clinging to a 68-67 lead, LaVall Jordan — an 83.3% free-throw shooter — missed two free throws with 8.1 seconds left that could have extended the Bulldogs’ lead to three. Instead, with the clock winding down, Florida executed a play it practiced every day — “Home Run.” After grabbing the rebound of the second missed free throw, Wright quickly passed to Dupay, who fed Miller for a driving floater that beat the buzzer.

And the rest was history.

“That shot changed everything,” Dupay said. “I jumped right on him, and then the whole dog pile happened. They were crushing us, especially Mike, and I was trying to get my hands under me to keep some of the pressure off him. It was chaos, but it was pure joy.”

In the locker room, the emotions poured out. Wright reflected, “When we got back, I let the tears of joy flow. As a kid, you watch the NCAA Tournament and see those moments, and to experience it — to not be the team that lost to a Cinderella story — was overwhelming.”

Foley emphasized the significance of the win: “That Butler game changed everything. If Mike’s bucket doesn’t go in, the story ends there. I’ll remember that moment forever.”

The dramatic victory set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Florida carried that momentum into the second round, where the Gators defeated Illinois 93-76 behind Miller’s 19 points and nine rebounds. In the East Regional at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York, Florida faced a Sweet 16 showdown against top-seeded Duke, a perennial powerhouse that had lost in the national title game the season before. The Gators, unfazed by Duke’s reputation, attacked relentlessly and pulled off a stunning 87-78 upset.

“We weren’t scared of Duke,” Wright said. “They had the name, but we knew we could beat them. And we did.”

In the national semifinals in Indianapolis, Florida faced another blue-blood power from Tobacco Road: No. 4 North Carolina. The Gators were too much for the Tar Heels, beating them 71-59 behind 13 points off the bench from Brett Nelson.

Kenyan Weaks, a sharpshooting guard and Concord, N.C., native, found special significance in the game.

“Beating both Duke and UNC in the same tournament, especially as a kid from North Carolina, was everything to me,” Weaks said. “It showed how far Florida had come.”

Florida advanced to the national championship game against top-seeded Michigan State. Although they fell short, the Gators had already solidified their place in school history, becoming the first team in school history to reach the NCAA title game. 

“Even though we lost, we knew we had done something special,” Wright said. 

The Legacy

The 1999-2000 team revolutionized Florida basketball. Donovan’s vision, combined with the players’ grit and camaraderie, laid the foundation for future success.

“Billy created a culture where we wanted to compete and win together,” Foley said. “That culture didn’t just last that season — it defined the program for years to come.”

The Gators’ depth, defensive intensity and selflessness were integral to their success. Donovan’s strategy emphasized team play, with 10 players regularly rotating in and out of games.

“We didn’t care who started or scored,” Wright said. “We just wanted to win.”

Just six years later, Donovan finally led Florida to the top of the mountain. The Gators went go on to win back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007, but it was the 1999-2000 team that made it all possible.

That Gators team remains a close-knit group, bound by their shared journey. They reunited in 2020 to honor Donovan when the court at the O’Connell Center was named after him.

“We’re brothers for life,” Weaks said. “What we built together will always be a part of us.”

Their legacy isn’t just in the banners they raised or the games they won. It lives on in the culture they helped create, proving that with vision, hard work and unity, anything is possible.

Where Are They Now?

Here’s a look at what Florida’s 1999-2000 team is doing today.

• Mike Miller

Miller, who hit the unforgettable buzzer-beater against Butler, was selected fifth overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He enjoyed a 17-year NBA career, winning two championships with the Miami Heat alongside fellow Gators star Haslem. Known for his versatility, Miller transitioned into coaching in 2018, joining the University of Memphis as an assistant under Penny Hardaway. At Memphis, Miller earned recognition as one of the nation’s top recruiters, helping to bring in elite talent during his two seasons with the program.

In 2020, Miller stepped away from college coaching to lead Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee, where he coached his sons, Mason and Mavrick, to a state championship. Today, he is the founder of LIFT Sports Management, representing basketball talent like Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero. Miller also co-hosts the OGs Podcast with Haslem, where they dive into basketball culture and share untold stories from the court.

• Udonis Haslem

Haslem, a cornerstone of the 1999-2000 Gators, became the longest-tenured player in Miami Heat history after signing with the team in 2003 following one season playing overseas in France for Chalon-Sur-Saône of the French LNB Pro A. Over his two-decade NBA career, Haslem won three championships with the Heat and was a vital leader on and off the court.

Now retired from playing, Haslem serves as the Vice President of Basketball Development for the Heat, mentoring young players and working closely with the coaching staff. He remains an active figure in the Miami community and co-hosts the OGs Podcast with Miller.

• Teddy Dupay

Dupay, Florida’s all-time leading high school scorer, overcame injuries during his Gator career to leave a lasting impression. After his basketball career, Dupay founded the Teddy Dupay Basketball Academy in Tampa, where he mentors young athletes. The academy, now in its 10th year, focuses on basketball skills and life lessons.

“Coach Donovan reminded me of all I did at the grassroots level as a player,” Dupay said. “He inspired me to pour everything I know into helping the entire sport of basketball in Florida move forward.”

• Brent Wright

Wright, one of three team captains on the 1999-2000 squad, played professionally for more than a decade, primarily in Europe, where he won nine championships. Today, Wright channels his leadership skills into education as the founder of the B. Wright Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization located in Liberty City focused on nurturing the next generation of leaders.

Looking to the future, Wright is working to transition the academy into a basketball-focused institution, integrating a sports academy model to help aspiring athletes understand the dedication and sacrifices needed to succeed in the sport.

• Kenyan Weaks

Weaks, the lone senior on the 1999-2000 team, began his post-Florida career as a Harlem Globetrotter before playing professionally in Europe and South America. After retiring, Weaks coached at various levels, including high school and college, with stints at Marshall University, Florida Southern College and Chowan University.

Now residing in Charlotte, Weaks focuses on supporting his children’s athletic pursuits while proudly remaining a “Florida Gator for life.”

• Donnell Harvey

Harvey, a first-round pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, played professionally for 15 years, including stints in the NBA and overseas. Today, Harvey splits his time between Shellman, Ga., and Peachtree City, Ga., where he runs the Reconstructing Youth Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering at-risk youth through sports, education and community development.

• Matt Bonner

Bonner, who graduated in 2003, was drafted by the Chicago Bulls and enjoyed a 12-year NBA career, including two championships with the San Antonio Spurs. Known for his 3-point shooting and intelligence on the court, Bonner transitioned to broadcasting after retiring in 2017. He now co-hosts The Raptors Show on Sportsnet in Canada and provides expert analysis for Toronto Raptors games.

• Justin Hamilton

Hamilton, a freshman on the 1999-2000 team, went on to play professionally in Europe, where he won a championship alongside Wright in Belgium. Now living in St. Petersburg, Hamilton stays connected to basketball through his children, Justin Jr. and Lila, who attend the Teddy Dupay Basketball Academy.

• Brett Nelson

Nelson, Florida’s first freshman to lead the team in steals and assists, played briefly in Sweden before turning to coaching. He’s had stints at Marshall, Arkansas, Drake and Holy Cross, where he served as head coach from 2019-23. After spending a year at UMass as an assistant, Nelson  joined NC State’s coaching staff  for the 2024 season as an assistant, continuing his career as a builder of programs.

• Ladarius Halton

Halton, part of the same 1998 recruiting class as Dupay, Haslem and Miller, was the runner-up to Dupay for Florida’s Mr. Basketball in 1997. He faced challenges early in his career, battling a degenerative condition in his right knee that sidelined him for the entire 1999-2000 season. Halton left Florida to play professionally in Turkey prior to the 2002 season. Today, he serves as a nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatric and mental health in Bay Pines, Florida.

• Major Parker

Parker, a team captain and defensive specialist, remained connected to basketball after graduation, playing in the minor leagues before joining Donovan’s staff in 2003 to 2004. Parker died in 2022 at the age of 44, but his contributions to grassroots basketball and the Florida program remain an integral part of his legacy.

• Ronnie King

King, a walk-on who graduated second in his high school class, turned down a presidential nomination to West Point and the Air Force Academy to attend the University of Florida on an academic scholarship. He was also part of the 1998 recruiting class. King was the only walk-on who played in the NCAA Tournament, seeing action in the first half vs. Illinois. He is a certified software engineer and now the CEO and owner of Scratchwerk Tech in Jacksonville and the founder of the MyVillage Project.

The Coaching Staff

Donovan’s 1999-2000 assistant coaching staff has gone on to successful careers of their own.

• Donnie Jones is now the head coach at Stetson University, where he continues to mentor young players.
• John Pelphrey has led multiple collegiate programs, including South Alabama and Arkansas, and now serves as head coach at Tennessee Tech.
• Donovan himself has achieved remarkable success, winning back-to-back NCAA titles with Florida in 2006, 2007, before transitioning to the NBA, where he now coaches the Chicago Bulls after a stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder.