A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college basketball player in mid-jump shot, their body and the basketball fragmented into sharp, overlapping planes of orange, blue, and white.Alex Condon’s decision to return to Florida for his senior season provides a boost for the Gators as they look to rebound from an early tournament exit.Gainesville Today

Florida Gators forward Alex Condon has announced he will return to the school for his senior season in 2026-27, forgoing entry into the 2026 NBA Draft. Condon, the team’s second-leading scorer last season, is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft and will be one of the top big men in college basketball next year.

Why it matters

Condon’s decision to stay is a major boost for the Gators, who are looking to rebound after failing to reach the Sweet 16 this past season. With several key players departing, Condon’s return provides stability and experience as Florida aims to compete for an SEC title and make a deep NCAA Tournament run.

The details

Condon, a 6-foot-11 forward, averaged 15.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 blocks per game last season while shooting 55.6% from the field. He had several standout performances in SEC play, including a 23-point, 4-block game against Texas and a 26-point, 7-rebound outing against Mississippi State.

Condon announced his decision to return on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.Condon is expected to be a projected first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.

The players

Alex Condon

A 6-foot-11, 230-pound forward who was Florida’s second-leading scorer last season and is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.

Todd Golden

The head coach of the Florida Gators men’s basketball team.

Micah Handlogten

A Florida player who has entered the transfer portal.

Xavian Lee

A Florida player who has finished his college eligibility.

Thomas Haugh

A Florida player expected to pursue professional basketball opportunities in the 2026 NBA Draft.

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What they’re saying

“’I love being a Gator. I didn’t love how everything ended, and I feel like there’s still some unfinished business. With the staff, we’re excited for year two of being a Gator.’”

— Boogie Fland, Florida Player

“’I love the coaching staff, my teammates – just living in Gainesville has probably been one of the best times of my life. It’s really awesome here. It was a tough loss in the second round as well, and I really want to run it back with my teammates and try to win a championship again. In general, I just love playing here.’”

— Urban Klavzar, Florida Player

What’s next

The Gators will look to build around Condon and the returning players as they aim to bounce back from an early tournament exit and compete for an SEC title and deep NCAA Tournament run in the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Condon’s decision to return to Florida for his senior season provides a major boost for the Gators as they look to regroup and contend for championships next year. His presence as an experienced, talented big man will be crucial as the team navigates the loss of several key contributors.