Florida Basketball: 2024-25 season preview for the Gators
By Joey Loose
Projected Starters
Guard – Walter Clayton Jr. (Senior)
A major offensive weapon, Clayton was MAAC Player of the Year as a sophomore before transferring to Florida last offseason. Putting up even better production, Clayton’s junior year saw him average 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game with a solid 37% mark from outside the arc. Last year’s leading scorer is back as a senior and should cause even more damage on offense.
Guard – Will Richard (Senior)
Another returning guard with a solid history, Richard starred at Belmont as a true freshman before spending the last two seasons with the Gators. He’s averaged double figures in each of his first three seasons, including 11.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game last year. His shooting and efficiency was a bit down last season, but he’ll get even more chances to produce as a senior.
Guard – Alijah Martin (Senior)
The notable Transfer Portal addition from the offseason, Martin joins the Gators after four seasons down at Florida Atlantic. A major part of the Owls’ recent rise to prominence, he averaged 13.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season, his third straight season putting up those kinds of numbers. Martin slides into a vital role with the Gators to finish off his collegiate career, though he’s coming off the worst shooting year of his career.
Forward – Alex Condon (Sophomore)
Native to Australia, Condon joined the Gators last offseason and did very solid work off the bench as a freshman. He played significant minutes as a reserve, putting up 7.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game during those opportunities. With the departures and injuries in the frontcourt, Condon becomes a major face in the interior, especially if he can take the expected sophomore leap.
Center – Rueben Chinyelu (Sophomore)
A 6’11 center from Nigeria, Chinyelu began his collegiate career at Washington State last season. He started a handful of games, averaging 4.7 points and 5.0 rebounds, and played a certain role in the Cougars’ standout campaign. Now entering his second year at the college level, Chinyelu gets a bigger opportunity with the Gators and could take quite the step forward.