Todd Golden has the Midas Touch! Xaivian Lee transfers to Florida

Princeton point guard Xaivian Lee will transfer to Florida

Xaivian Lee just said no to Hall of Fame coaches Rick Pitino (St. John’s) and Bill Self (Kansas) Wednesday. Instead, Lee, the Ivy League Player of the Year at Princeton, said yes to Todd Golden and the Florida Gators, fresh off an NCAA championship led by former transfers Will Richard (Belmont), Walter Clayton Jr. (Iona) and Alijah Martin (Florida Atlantic).

Lee, the first player in Princeton history to record a triple-double (18 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists vs. St. Joseph’s), averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists last season. In his three-year career at Princeton, Lee scored 1,154 points, averaging 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 91 games. In 2025, he hit 36.6 percent of his 3-point shots and 78.9 percent from the foul line.

A native of Toronto, Lee played his high school ball at the Perkiomen School in Pennsylvania, where he was teammates with Tommy Haugh. The two have remained close friends and their parents have also maintained a friendship.

Lee could prove to be the single most impactful player in the portal because he gives the Gators a lead guard who can score, which will help to fill the significant void by the graduation of Clayton, Martin and Richard who combined to average 46 points, 12.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. Because he can play the point or off the ball, Lee should be a perfect fit to play with Denzel Aberdeen, who averaged 7.7 points off the bench. When the Gators were hit by injuries midyear, Aberdeen stepped seamlessly into the starting lineup, averaging 13.8 points while committing only six turnovers in six games.

Golden could continue with a 3-man backcourt next season. Urban Klavzar, a superb shooter who got a good bit of playing time in the second half of the season, could be the third guard. Other options are Isaiah Brown and freshmen Alex Lloyd and CJ Ingram. The Gators are expected to land Ohio University transfer AJ Brown, Isiah’s older brother. He is an experienced slasher type who scored double figures in 2025.

Another option is to play Haugh on the wing where at 6-9 he will be a mismatch for smaller perimeter players. During Florida’s run to the SEC Tournament and NCAA championships, Haugh averaged 12 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.  

Haugh on the wing combined with a front line of 6-11 Alex Condon and 6-10 Rueben Chinyelu would be formidable, particularly backed up by 7-1 Micah Handlogten, 6-9 Sam Alexis, 6-11 Viktor Mikic and 7-9 Olivier Rioux. Condon, will test the NBA Draft waters, but is expected to return unless he has assurances of being drafted somewhere between 15-to-25. Haugh also plans to test the waters but he is also expected back. Both Condon and Haugh have stated they want to return next season, but if their draft stock were to elevate into the top 25, they would be foolish to pass on the money.  

Most of the too early preseason polls have the Gators lingering somewhere between 9-and-11. If Haugh and Condon return, Florida will have the best front court in the country next year. Adding Lee and possibly a perimeter scorer like AJ Brown should move the Gators up, perhaps as high as top five. The Athletic already has Florida at No. 2 and The Sporting News No. 4 and that was before Lee committed.

FORMER NYU HEAD COACH DAVID KLATSKY JOINS UF STAFF

Fresh off leading New York University to the championship game in Division III, David Klatsky is joining the Florida staff. In his three years at NYU, Klatsky led the Violets to a 68-16 record, 29-2 this past season. Klatsky is a cousin of former Gator walk-on Alex Klatsky.

Klatsky and Jonathan Safir, an analytical genius who has been on Golden’s staff since 2022, fill the spots of departed Kevin Hovde (new head coach at Columbia) and Jon Andrzejek (new head coach at Campbell).

THE ROSTER AS OF April 16, 2025

Big guys (7)

Micah Handlogten (7-1, 255, JR): Handlogten can request a hardship waiver from the NCAA that will restore a year of his eligibility. Otherwise he will be a senior next season. He will be stronger and rebuild his stamina in the offseason. He will be a beast in the middle next year. When he burned his redshirt it was exactly the boost the Gators needed to make it to the national championship game.

Sam Alexis (6-9, 240, JR): Suffered a high ankle sprain at Mississippi State and was slow recovering. Saw mop-up duty against Maryland in the Sweet 16 game, otherwise was on the bench. He’s got a power game, 3-point range and good defensive instincts, but has to develop as a decision maker. He would be a hot property if he went into the transfer portal.

Alex Condon (6-11, 230, SO): Condon has declared for the NBA Draft but expectations are that he will return. He is projected late first round but could be a lottery pick with another year in school. He has the insurance of Australia where he could return to a multi-million dollar contract so he doesn’t have to worry about the NBA. Defensively, he’s ready. Offense needs some work but he’s long on potential. He can shoot the three but needs to develop a consistent mid-range shot.

Tommy Haugh (6-9, 215, SO): He’s likely to go through the pre-NBA Draft process but come back to UF. Some projections have him late first round but most likely second round evaluation. Probably 95 percent set on returning. He is so versatile that he could play on the perimeter next year, taking the spot that Will Richard occupied for three years.

Rueben Chinyelu (6-10, 260, SO): Potential is through the roof. He can defend and rebound but has to avoid foul troubles. For the most part, his outside shot is a dunk. Needs to assert himself more around the rim and dunk the basketball instead of putting the ball up on the glass.

Viktor Mikic (6-11, 250, FR): He’s a Serbian who came to Florida out of Hamilton Heights Christian in Chattanooga. He’s big, strong and physical but will find minutes hard to find with Florida’s front court roster.

Olivier Rioux (7-9, 305, FR): He is a project but you cannot teach tall and nobody in college basketball is taller. Redshirt last season. The hope is that he will be able to be a contributor next year and perhaps a regular the year after.

Perimeter guys (4)

Denzel Aberdeen (6-5, 190, JR): He will take over the point next year but proved coming off the bench that he’s very capable of playing off the ball as well. He’s a rock solid defender capable of dealing with taller people. Shot 35 percent from the 3-point line.

Xaivian Lee (6-4, 180, JR, transfer from Princeton): Lee can play with the ball or off the ball equally well. In the Princeton offense he was constant motion and always passing the basketball. With Aberdeen he could make a dynamic 1-2 punch.

Urban Klavzar (6-1, 195, SO): When the Gators went through their rash of midseason injuries, Klavzar stepped up and proved valuable off the bench. He is a long range bomber who can put the ball on the deck. Improved as a ball handler and defender as he got experience.

Isaiah Brown (6-5, 195, SO): Didn’t get a chance to show what he could do except at mop-up time, but he’s got serious hops and is a legitimate 3-point shooter. He has the ability to challenge for starting minutes.

Incoming freshmen (2)

Alex Lloyd (6-4, 180): He’s a legit bomber who can go into shooter’s comas and take over a game. He may be groomed to become the point guard after Aberdeen and Lee move on to the NBA. Excellent open court defender.

CJ Ingram (6-6, 200): He is a slasher with 3-point range. He’s grown at least two inches in the last year and might top out somewhere around 6-8 when he’s finished. Was all-interplanetary at Hawthorne. When he moved to Montverde and played in a more structured game he was a picture of consistency.

Portal possibilities

AJ Brown (6-5, 200, JR, from Ohio U): He’s the older brother of Isaiah Brown. A slasher who is a streaky 3-point shooter (38.8 percent). He was the best player on an Orlando Christian Prep team that had VenAllen Lubin.

RJ Luis (6-7, 196, JR, from St. John’s): He’s a Miami kid who made first team All-America both on the court and for academics. Averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for Rick Pitino at St. John’s.

Kris Parker (6-9, 210, FR, from Villanova): Played his high school ball at Quincy where he was the No. 93 recruit in the country. Only got 10 minutes a game off the bench at Nova. Capable of playing inside or outside.

Cade Tyson (6-7, 200, JR, from North Carolina): It came down to Florida and Carolina when he transferred from Belmont in 2024. He was a bad fit and is in the portal again. He shot 46.5 percent from the 3-point line in 2024 at Belmont, 41.7 percent as a freshman the year before.

Cedric Coward (6-6, 190, RSO, from Washington State): Before he was injured six games into the season he was averaging 17.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Spent his first two seasons at Eastern Washington where he averaged 11.3 points, 6-1 rebounds and shot 38.6 percent from the 3-point line.

International possibility

Ben Henshall (6-7, 200, Perth, Australia): Friend and former teammate of Alex Condon. Could stay in Australia and be a superstar or come to the US to play collegiately in front of the NBA scouts.

SEC BASKETBALL IN THE PORTAL

ALABAMA

Goners: PF Jarin Stephenson (6-11, 210, SO, to North Carolina); SF Mouhamed Dioubate (6-7, 215, SO, to Kentucky); SF Naas Cunningham (6-7, 175, FR)

Newbies: PG Jalil Bethea (6-5, 190, FR, from Miami); PF Taylor Bol Bowen (6-10, 205, SO, from Florida State); C Noah Williamson (7-0, 224, JR, from Bucknell)

ARKANSAS

Goners: Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, to Illinois); PG Casmir Chavis (6-0, 180, FR)

Newbies: C Nick Pringle (6-10, 220, SR, from South Carolina); PF Malique Ewin (6-10, 220, SO, from Florida State)

AUBURN

Goners: Jahki Howard (6-6, 185, FR)

Newbies: Keyshawn Hall (6-7, 240, JR, from UCF); PF KeShawn Murphy (6-10, 245, JR, from Mississippi State)

FLORIDA

Goners: PG Kajus Kublicas (6-2, 180, SO)

Newbies: PG Xaivian Lee (6-4, 180, SR, from Princeton)

GEORGIA

Goners: Silas Demery Jr. (6-5, 195, JR, to UConn); PG Savo Drezgic (6-4, 200, FR); PF RJ Godfrey (6-7, 225, JR, to Clemson); SG DeShayne Montgomery (6-4, 190, SO, to Dayton)

Newbies: Justin Bailey (6-3, 185, JR, from Wofford); PG Jeremiah Wilkinson (6-1, 185, FR, from California); SF Kanon Catchings (6-9, 190, FR, from BYU)

KENTUCKY

Goners: PG Kerr Kriisa (6-3, 180, JR, to Cincinnati)

Newbies: C Jayden Quaintance (6-9, 225, FR, from Arizona State); SF Mouhamed Dioubate (from Alabama); PG Jaland Lowe (6-2, 170, SO, from Pittsburgh); PF Kam Williams (6-8, 190, FR, from Tulane)

LSU

Goners: SG Vyctorius Miller (6-5, 185, FR, to Oklahoma State); PF Corey Chest (6-8, 220, FR, to Ole Miss); PF Daimion Collins (6-9, 202, SR, to South Florida); PF Noah Boyde (7-0, 245, JR, to Western Kentucky); SG Mike Williams (6-3, 180, SO); SG Tyrell Ward (6-6, 195, JR)

Newbies: PF Marquel Sutton (6-7, 205, JR, from Nebraska-Omaha); SG Max McKinnon (6-5, 200, JR, from Pepperdine); SG Rashad King (6-6, 198, JR, from Northeastern); PG Dedan Thomas (6-0, 175, FR, from UNLV); C Michael Nwoko (6-10, 245, SO, from Mississippi State); PF Lassina Traore (6-10, 230, SR, from Xavier)

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Goners: C Michael Nwoko (6-10, 245, SO, to LSU); PF KeShawn Murphy (6-10, 245, JR to Auburn); SG Riley Kugel (6-5, 210, JR, to UCF); PG Kanye Clary (5-11, 190, JR, to Oklahoma State); SF Adrian Myers (6-6, 205, FR); C Jeremy Foumena (6-11, 235, SO); SF Harrison Alexander (6-4, 190, FR)

Newbies: C Quincy Ballard (6-11, 240, SR, from Wichita State); PG Ja’Borri McGhee (6-0, 200, FR, from UAB)

MISSOURI

Goners: C Josh Gray (7-0, 260; SR); SG Marcus Allen (6-7, 200, FR); SF Aidan Shaw (6-9, 210, JR, to Boston College); C Peyton Marshall (7-0, 300, FR)

Newbies: SG Sebastian Mack (from UCLA); C Luke Northweather (6-11, 240, RSO from Oklahoma); PF Jevon Porter (6-11, 235, JR, from Loyola Marymount); C Shawn Phillips (7-0, 245, JR, from Arizona State)

OKLAHOMA

Goners: C Luke Northweather (6-11, 240, RSO to Missouri); SF Tae Davis (6-9, 240, JR, from Notre Dame); SG Duke Miles (6-2, 175, SR, to Virginia); SF Jacolb-Fredson Cole (6-7, 220, FR to McNeese); C YaYa Keita (6-9, 241, JR)

Newbies: PG Nijel Pack (6-0, 180, SR, from Miami); SF Tae Davis (from Notre Dame); PG Xzayvier Brown (6-2, 165, SO, from Saint Joseph’s)

OLE MISS

Goners: C John Bol (7-2, 210, FR); SG TJ Caldwell (6-4, 190, JR); SG Robert Cowherd (6-5, 200, SO)

Newbies: PF Corey Chest (6-8, 220, FR, from LSU); PG Koren Johnson (6-2, 175, RSO, from Louisville); SF AJ Storr (6-6, 200, JR, from Kansas)

SOUTH CAROLINA

Goners: PF Okku Federiko (6-8, 220, FR); SF Morris Ugusuk (6-4, 170, SO); SG Cam Scott (6-6, 170, FR); PG Jamarii Thomas (6-0, 185, SR); PG Meechie Johnson (6-2, 175, SR, to Ohio State); SG Austin Herro (6-3, 180, FR); C Nick Pringle (6-10, 220, SR, to Arkansas); SG Arden Conyers (6-7, 204, FR); SG Zachary Davis (6-7, 200, JR)

Newbies: SG Kobe Knox (6-5, 185, JR, from South Florida); C Christ Essendoko (7-0, 285, SO, from Providence); PF Elijah Strong (6-8, 220, SO, from Boston College)

TENNESSEE

Newbies: PF Jaylen Carey (6-8, 265, SO, from Vanderbilt); PG Ja’Kobi Gillespie (6-1, 175, JR, from Maryland)

TEXAS A&M

Goners: George Turkson (6-7, 220, JR, to Maryland); SG Andre Mills (6-4, 200, FR, to Maryland); C Pharrel Payne (6-9, 230, to Maryland); SF Solomon Washington (6-7, 225, JR); PF Janus Ratowski (6-11, 225, FR); SF Jaelen Lee (6-6, 195, S0); SF Rob Dockery (6-6, 215, FR)

Newbies: SF Zach Clemence (6-10, 225, RFR, from Kansas); PG Jacari Lane (6-0, 178, JR, from North Alabama)

VANDERBILT  

Goners: PF Jaylen Carey (to Tennessee); PG Jason Edwards (6-1, 175, JR, to Providence); PG Jordan Williams (6-2, 215, JR); SF Alex Hemenway (6-4, 190, SR); PF Jaqualon Roberts (6-8, 230, SO); PG Karris Bilal (6-2, 190, FR)

Newbies: PG Frankie Collins (6-1, 185, JR, from TCU); C Mason Nicholson (6-10, 280, JR, from Jacksonville State); PF Jalen Washington (6-10, 225, JR, from North Carolina); Mike James (6-6, 195, RSO, from North Carolina State)