Florida has the talent to make another title run. Before UConn won the national championships in 2023 and 2024, men's college basketball hadn't seen a repeat title winner since Florida in 2006 and 2007 -- but Todd Golden's Gators have the players to make it a trend. Alex Condon withdrew from the NBA draft to return to Florida, Rueben Chinyelu and Thomas Haugh are also back, and top transfers Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee were added in the portal.
Deron Rippey Jr., a 6-foot-2 point guard from New York City, is a top-20 national prospect and the No. 2 point guard in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
In many cases, character traits will prove just as important. Resilience, work ethic, coachability and competitiveness are all qualities that elevate good players into great ones.
This season, the Lancers' success can be attributed to the exceptional performance of Kai Minor, who has not only excelled with a .535 batting average but has also demonstrated remarkable skills in the outfield, making her a two-way asset for the team.
Xaivian Lee is one of college basketball's hottest transfer prospects, showcasing impressive skills that are attracting interest from top programs as he explores his options.