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Florida basketball's Alex Condon shuns NBA draft, returns to Gators
TL;DR
Florida basketball forward Alex Condon has decided to return for his senior season instead of entering the NBA draft. Condon aims to help the Gators secure a second national championship after a disappointing last season.
The Gator Nation got some great news on Wednesday afternoon. Forward Alex Condon will return for his senior season with Florida basketball, according to ESPN.
The frontcourt star from Australia has spent all three years of his collegiate career in Gainesville. Last year, Condon withdrew from the NBA draft and returned to school when his stock did not rise high enough; this year, he is the No. 30 prospect in ESPN's Top 100, but it appears that a fourth season with the Orange and Blue outweighs the benefits of going pro.
In returning to Florida, he looks to bring home a second national championship in three years after a disappointing finish to the 2025-26 campaign.
"It's not the result that we wanted at the end of the year," Condon told ESPN. "I think we're a better team than that. So, (we) left a bit of unfinished business with the Gators. So to go back to school and compete — we know what it's like to win a national championship, and that's the number one goal for me."
Last season, Condon averaged a career-high 15.1 points on 55% shooting, along with 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 blocks, playing in 34 of a total 35 games. For his career, he has averaged 11.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 blocks over 110 total games.
The program put up a 27-8 record last season and an 87-24 mark over his three-year tenure.
Condon joins guards Boogie Fland, Urban Klavžar, AJ Brown, Isaiah Brown, Alex Kovatchev and Alex Lloyd in returning for the 2026-27 campaign, while an announcement is still pending from the Defensive Player of the Year, center Rueben Chinyelu. Forward Thomas Haugh is ranked 13th in ESPN's Top 100 and is expected to remain in the NBA draft with his lottery-pick status.
Fellow frontcourt teammates Micah Handlogten and Olivier Rioux have both entered the transfer portal, making Condon's return that much more important to Todd Golden's team. The Gators did add guard Denzel Aberdeen back into the fold via the portal, while guard Xaivian Lee's eligibility expired after last season.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball's Alex Condon will return to Gators for senior year
Q&A
Why did Alex Condon choose to return to Florida instead of entering the NBA draft?
Alex Condon chose to return to Florida because he believes there is unfinished business with the team and aims to compete for a national championship.
What is Alex Condon's ranking among NBA prospects for the 2026 draft?
Alex Condon is currently ranked as the No. 30 prospect in ESPN's Top 100 for the 2026 NBA draft.
What championship goal does Alex Condon have for his senior season with the Gators?
Alex Condon's primary goal for his senior season is to win a second national championship for the Florida Gators.