Princeton Tigers guard Xaivian Lee (1) shoots the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at Prudential Center. [Tom Horak-Imagn Images]

Top 9 Available Transfers For Florida Men’s Basketball

Jesse Bratman April 14, 2025 College Basketball, Feature Sports News, Gators Men's Basketball, Gators Sports, NCAA, NCAA Tournament 2,397 Views

The Gators are the 2024-2025 college men’s basketball national champions. How sweet does that sound?

You know what sounds sweeter? Back-to-back national champions.

The Gators are losing their senior guard trio of Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard. These three were not only the vocal leaders of the best team in the country, but also the top-3 leading scorers. Florida is losing a lot this offseason, but that does not mean it can’t gain back some talent. In the era of NIL, accessing top-tier players through the transfer portal is as easy as signing a check, especially with a recent $1 million donation from booster Gary Condron.

Florida coach Todd Golden has created an underdawg culture with his team. He does not recruit players who want to play just for the money. Golden brings in players who want to be Gators and buy into his system. The 39-year-old coach has been strategic in who he recruits, looking at stats that go way beyond points or rebounds per game. His analytical mind has brought in names who are already written in the Gator history books, like Clayton (Iona), Richard (Belmont), Martin (FAU), Rueben Chinyelu (Washington State) and Micah Handlogten (Marshall).

With uncertainty around Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon pursuing the NBA or returning to UF, the Gators could hunt for some frontcourt pieces if their big stars go the professional route. Right now, Golden and company need to focus on bringing in an elite scoring guard.

Here are the top nine available transfers who could help bring a second ring to Gainesville in the Golden era:

9. Oziyah Sellers

This 6-foot-5 senior out of Stanford would be a great replacement for Richard. He spent his first two years at USC, where he received limited minutes, but thrived this season with the Cardinal. With a clean slate at Stanford, Sellers improved his game on both ends of the floor, averaging 13.7 points per game and more than 40% from 3. The icing on the cake — he scored a season-high 27 points in an upset win against Florida State.

This veteran guard would bring a toughness and clutch factor similar to Richard with his high basketball IQ. He also started all 35 games for Stanford like Richard did with Florida.

He has a “do not contact” designation in the portal, along with declaring for the NBA draft while maintaining college eligibility. It is unlikely he declares for the draft, as he is not even a second-round selection on most draft boards. If Sellers does not go back to Stanford, do not be surprised if he moves to the East Coast to play for the defending national champs.

8. Bryce Lindsay

Lindsay is a sharpshooting guard who could bring a dynamic scoring punch to Florida’s back court with Denzel Aberdeen. The 6-foot-3 sophomore out of James Madison averaged 13.4 points per game last season while shooting more than 40% from beyond the arc. His ability to create his own shot and stretch defenses with deep shooting fits into Florida’s high-tempo, 3-point-heavy offense.

Lindsay told Gators Network that he is planning a visit to Florida in the near future, but getting him to commit next season will be a challenge. Lindsay redshirted with new Maryland coach Buzz Williams at Texas A&M in 2023. In addition to Maryland, Lindsay has been contacted by UConn and Auburn. Even though there is a high demand for Lindsay by big-name schools, Golden is a player-first coach fresh off a national championship. Counting him out of this race wouldn’t be wise.

7. Ben Henshall

In the new age of NIL, the NCAA route is becoming increasingly appealing to international players. Ben Henshall is a 6-foot-5 combo-guard with tremendous upside. Although Henshall did not play college basketball last season, he could transfer from the NBL, the best basketball league in Australia. Henshall even played with Condon in an Australian U-20 Tournament representing Perth, where they are both from.

Henshall just finished a season with the Perth Wildcats and is now testing the NBA waters. He is getting no first-round buzz, so a year in college could be beneficial for his exposure and career. The 20-year-old Aussie averaged 9.4 points and 2.6 assists a game in the NBL while playing alongside NBA talent like Dylan Windler, who was a first-round pick in the 2019 NBA draft. With Condon in his ear, Henshall could bring professional experience to the Gator back court.

6. Darrion Williams

How funny would this be? After dropping 23 points on Florida in the Elite Eight, Williams could take a page out of Kevin Durant’s book — if you can’t beat them, join them. The 6-foot-6 senior had an amazing year for the Red Raiders, averaging 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Williams is not the traditional speedy, transition threat guard who Golden seeks. However, he is a versatile weapon that Golden could play from small forward to center.

As seen in the Elite Eight, Williams has unstoppable post moves to go along with his above average 3-point stroke (34% last season). Although his numbers from deep declined this season (knocking down 46% as a sophomore at Texas Tech), he will have opportunities to let it fly under Golden. At the three, Williams adds an even larger rebounding threat to one of the best rebounding teams in the country. Paired with two shifty guards, Williams could either space the floor and shoot or add a third large body in the paint area. He can handle the ball going either way, knock down shots off a dribble-hand-off and would thrive in any offensive set Golden’s analytical mind puts him in.

5. Jasai Miles

The Miami native spent his last two seasons at North Florida before entering the transfer portal. Miles’ growth from his freshman to sophomore year was astronomical, going from 5.7 points per game to 15.1 points per game for the Ospreys. At 6-6 and 205 pounds, he’s got ideal size for a guard. Along with connecting on 74 3s last season (33.5%), he thrives in transition. This pairs well with Florida’s run-and-gun style. With his strength, advanced dribbling and off the dribble shot-making ability, Miles is a legit offensive threat similar to Martin.

Miami and South Carolina have shown interest. It would not be crazy if the Gators make a late push toward the talented junior. As seen with Clayton, Florida natives have found quite a bit of success under Golden.

4. Jamir Watkins

Watkins has the opportunity to do something funnier than Darrion Williams and commit to his rival school. According to 247, he is the No. 6 overall transfer in the portal. The second team All-ACC guard averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game this year. While those numbers look terrific on paper, the discipline of Golden would benefit the star guard. He shot just 32% from deep on over five attempts per game and posted a negative assist-to-turnover ratio. FSU had a messy coaching situation after Leonard Hamilton got caught up in an NIL scandal, so Watkins was kind of unhinged last season, ranking top 50 in total usage.

Defensively, he has the tools to make a real impact like Martin did. He’s strong, long and quick enough to pick up ball-handlers full court. Watkins also has sticky fingers similar to Martin, averaging 1.2 steals per game. Watkins declared for the NBA draft, but it is likely he returns for a graduate season as he maintained college eligibility. Gonzaga has strong ties to Watkins because assistant Zags coach R-Jay Barsh is on Mark Few’s staff. However, do not be surprised if Watkins decides to stay in Florida.

3. AJ Brown

If that last name sounds familiar, it is because he is the brother of Florida sophomore Isaiah Brown. AJ Brown has spent his entire college career at Ohio, averaging 13.2 points, 3.2 boards and 1.1 assists per game this season. Brown’s shooting thrives off the catch, where he hit 41% of his 3s. With two dynamic guards driving to create space on the perimeter, Brown could be that perfect third, off-ball guard like Richard was.

Although Brown has played three seasons for the Bobcats, he still has two years of eligibility due to a medical redshirt his sophomore year. As seen with transfers like Clayton, Richard, Chinyelu and Handlogten, Golden likes to recruit transfers who create legacies in Gainesville that last more than a year.

Brown is not as prominent a transfer as guys like Watkins or Williams, but Florida thrives with underdawgs. Golden and company have an amazing gift for turning “sleepers” in the portal into stars. Just look at Chinyelu. He was the 104th best transfer available in the 2024 portal according to 247, and started every game at center for the Gators. With Brown’s strong family ties to Gainesville, he could be the first transfer who signs with Florida.

2. Barrington Hargress

The biggest concern with Hargress is his size, but the UC Riverside transfer can flat out score. The 6-foot junior averaged 20.2 points and 4.0 per game for the 21-13 Highlanders. With Clayton gone, the Gators will need someone who wants the ball in the clutch moments. This could very well be Hargress, who is unafraid of attacking the rim despite his size.

UC Riverside also produced Zyon Pullin, who started every game at point guard for the Gators in 2023.

Aberdeen is good, but he does not have the ability to make 3s off the dribble like Clayton does. Hargress does. Aberdeen’s ability to drive to the rack paired with Hargress’ ability to make tough perimeter shots could create something scary for SEC defenses.

Confidence is not something Hargress lacks, similar to the No. 1 available transfer for Florida.

1. Xaivian Lee

You could count the amount of players who have Clayton’s confidence in college basketball with one hand. Xaivian Lee is one of them. Lee is one of the most dynamic scorers in the country. The 6-foot-4 guard has movement off of a pick-and-roll that is like poetry in motion. The way he is able to change acceleration to make defenders bite and get to the rim is something that Florida will need now that it lost Clayton. Last season, he averaged 16.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG and 5.5 APG, along with having multiple triple doubles throughout his three years at Princeton. He has been on the radar of NBA scouts for the past two years, but will probably elect to have one more collegiate year before turning pro.

Lee is that missing piece that could give the Gators a legitimate chance to go back to back. If Lee needs any more reasons to come to Gainesville beside playing for the defending national champions and having an elite coaching staff, facilities, fanbase etc., he also went to high school with Haugh, who has been actively recruiting the Ivy league star on Lee’s social posts, commenting “@gatorsmbk” on an unofficial visit to St. John’s’ post.

The Gators are competing with Kansas and North Carolina in addition to St. John’s. Lee is the perfect fit to replace Clayton, Richard and Martin. If Golden can pull this one off, the 2025-2026 season will already be off to a championship start.

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