Gator Women’s Basketball: Gator women are off to a hot start with a revamped roster and plenty of star power.

Liv McGill’s career high 38 points powers the Gator to a 2-0 start as the Gators look armed and ready with a more mature athletic roster.

By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com, Host of the Lowdown with Loren Meadows

Florida guard Liv McGill shined with a career high 38 points (UAA photo)

Last night in the O’ Dome the Gator fans were treated to an opening act of epic proportions as the Gators women’s hoops team defeated a game Chattanooga team. The game saw the Gators flex their defensive might, holding the Mocs to just four points in the second quarter in the midst of a 28-4 run that put the visitors from Tennessee away early. While the game played preceded the Gators men’s game that was to follow as part of a doubleheader, the star of the show and maybe the entire night was point guard Liv McGill who returned to Florida with a renewed since of confidence and passion that is palpable throughout the entire team. McGill posted a career high 38 points on 13-26 shooting, along with 10 assists and eight rebounds while playing all 40 minutes of the game. This would be the second consecutive game that the Preseason ALL-SEC 2nd Team selection would flirt with a triple double after posting a 26-points with nine assists, and nine rebounds in a 96-62 win over North Florida. McGill summed up her record setting night stating, “As coach keeps saying that basket was just huge. But its countless hours put in, countless hours with my teammates, countless hours of us drilling, work. I guess the basketball gods were just in my favor today, and we won. And that's what matters. It was a great team win, and everybody contributed. It's a blessing to set a record.” That work that McGill speaks of is built on a renewed commitment to leadership that saw McGill turn down an opportunity to compete for the USA U20 National Team to remain in Gainesville and improve as player and a leader with her teammates.

The team the Coach Kelly Rae Finley has put together is a more athletic group that is built to play aggressive on defense and score efficiently in the half court and fast in transition. A mix of talented returners and international newcomers has blended well under the leadership of not only McGill but also junior wing Laila Reynolds, sophomore forward Me’Arah O’Neal, and graduate senior Alexia Dizeko. 

Reynolds is the steady hand of the group with the ability to affect the game at both ends as defender and offensive threat. The former McDonald’s All-American has a high basketball IQ and is one of the Gators most coachable players. Reynolds ability to attack the basket with creativity is a nice complement to McGill in transition. Look for Reynolds to continue her development as a future pro.

O’Neal continues to make her own mark as a basketball player and in her second year has fine-tuned her versatility at both ends of the floor. O’Neal can play both on the wing and inside and is currently averaging 14 points per game on 50 percent shooting. O’Neal, who has been living at the foul line is also shooting an impressive 86 percent from the charity stripe. A well-rounded humble athlete, O’Neal is also an entrepreneur who launched her own clothing line this fall. 

Dizeko is the player that every coach dreams of. The graduate guard from Sion, Switzerland is committed to doing whatever Finley and her staff ask of her. A nuisance on the defensive end Dizeko was a major part of the Gators holding Southern Conference Preseason Player of the Year Mocs guard Caia Elisaldez to just nine points with four turnovers. In speaking of Dizeko Finley stated, “Lex does a lot of things that don't end up on the stat sheet. This can make me really emotional because in this day and age with social media, with the pressure, with the "ohh, ahh" everybody wants to be posting this, that and whatever, it doesn't matter to Lex. She just wants to win. She wants the Gators to be great, and I would say that is the absolute mindset of our entire roster.” A true team player in an age where that concept has become more and more obsolete.

Along with Dizeko the Gators have tapped into the growth of women’s basketball internationally to assemble a roster of athletic young players from all over the world. Finley also grabbed a couple of talented players from the Big 12 and American Conference that could make this her most athletic roster to date.

The remining roster includes:

(In alphabetical order)

Emilija “Mills” Dakic-Australian born player who competed for the Australian national junior team is a true “3 and D” player. Physical and intelligent she has made an early mark on the team.

Sarah Deng-A juco transfer and arguably the fastest player Finley has had at Florida, Deng spent the summer with the South Sudan national team and was Co-Defensive Player of the Year in her final year of junior college.

Gift Ezekiel-Gift brings physical strength and rebounding to the team as well as Dennis Rodman like energy. A native Nigerian Giftt speaks several languages including Japanese. 

KN’isha “KG” Godfrey-Ohio native who played her high school ball in Tampa, transferred from TCU where she appeared in 40 games over three seasons. Godfrey brings talent, experience, and positive attitude to the roster.

Daviane “Davi” Mindoudi Ongbakahoumb-Spanish player from Bilbao, Spain who is an adept shooter with sneaky athleticism. Davi is a quiet presence on the team that leads by example and will be called upon to play a more substantial role in her second season with the Gators. 

Caterina “Cat” Piatti-The daughter of Italian basketball coaches Cat has the ability to be one of the best post players Finley has had at Florida.  Crafty around the basket Cat can run the floor in transition and is excellent in the pick and roll. Last summer Cat was a member of the Italian U20 team that won bronze at the 2024 Euro Basket Championships. 

Jade Weathersby-UAB transfer appeared in 64 games with 33 starts in two years with the Blazers. Career highs of 27 points and 19 rebounds and should contribute that same production to the Gators this season.

Nyadieng “Nidi” Yiech-Competed for Canadian U18 team in 2024 earning a silver medal in the AmeriCup. Physical inside out player who is an aggressive rebounder with a great shooting touch. Yiech can play both the off guard and forward positions and rounds out a very versatile roster for the Gators.

The roster is a complement of talented women from all over the world, and it speaks to the type of program and roster Finley has built despite the university being slow to react to the changing landscape of college athletic and women’s basketball. If the first two games are any indication, good things are on the horizon as the Gators look to return to the NCAA tournament for the second time under its talented coach. Despite challenges, Finley and her staff continue to find and develop talent. A testament to the foundation that has been laid and continues to improve.