How Florida Will Replace Kentucky-Bound Aberdeen

Denzel Aberdeen had the keys to the Florida Men’s Basketball back court. Now he will lead the Kentucky Wildcats, Joseph Tipton of On3 reported this afternoon.

NEWS: Florida transfer guard Denzel Aberdeen has committed to Kentucky, source tells @On3sports. https://t.co/mSgJyZqHUY pic.twitter.com/2E8X1AeW7O

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 21, 2025

In a shocking turn of events, Aberdeen announced on his Instagram Friday afternoon he entered the transfer portal. The Orlando-native was committed to Mike White in 2022, and was the only member of White’s recruiting class once he was replaced by Todd Golden.

Aberdeen did his time as a Florida reserve. His freshmen year, he averaged 1.6 points per game and 3.4 minutes per game. He made the jump to 3.3 points on 9.7 minutes per game in his sophomore season. In his final year with the Gators, Aberdeen played an integral role in a national championship run, appearing in all 40 games, averaging. a career-best 7.7 points and 19.7 minutes per game. He even started five games when Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin were out with injury.

Todd Golden has not been shy about his admiration for Aberdeen. The 6-foot-5 guard could have easily left the program when there was a coaching change or when he was fighting for minutes. Now that Aberdeen secured a starting guard role alongside Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee, it is shocking that he would leave the Gators for a rival SEC school.

According to Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68, Aberdeen’s departure had nothing to do with the addition of Lee. Aberdeen was asking for a $1.5 million NIL deal, which the Gators declined to offer. It is rumored that Mark Pope and company paid him upwards of $2 million, but nothing is confirmed.

Denzel Abderdeen's departure had little to do with the addition of Princeton transfer PG Xaivian Lee and was far more about finances/NIL, source told @TheFieldOf68. https://t.co/uMpeWBwZre

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 18, 2025

Guard Spot Up For Auction

With Aberdeen’s late departure, there is an empty void that now needs to be filled at the two-guard position. Aberdeen was a seasoned guard with championship experience, something very hard to replicate in college basketball. Known for his offensive playmaking abilities, Denzel was also an incredibly efficient defender, using his length and speed to heckle dribblers.

Lee will surely take over the ball handling responsibility, so Florida will have to search for an off-ball guard in the transfer portal. With the senior guard’s departure, the Gators now will have more NIL funds to go after a star transfer. A lot of players that fill the Gators needs have already committed to other schools, but here are the most qualified candidates to replace Denzel:

AJ Brown

The Gators are currently crystal-balled to land Ohio guard AJ Brown, brother of Gator sophomore Isaiah Brown. Brown averaged 13.2 points, 3.2 boards and 1.1 assists in 29 starts for the Bobcats last season. His shooting thrives off the catch, where he hit 41% of his 3-pointers. Paired with Lee’s ability to drive to the basket and kick to open defenders, this could be an incredibly balanced back court.

Ben Henshall

Australian guard Ben Henshall has emerged as a potential target for the Florida Gators. According to Gators Network, Henshall is preparing for the 2025 NBA draft with fellow Perth-native Alex Condon. Henshall just finished a season with the Perth Wildcats in the Australian NBL league. He is getting no first-round buzz, so a year in college could be beneficial for his exposure and career. The 20-year-old Aussie averaged 9.4 points and 2.6 assists a game in the NBL while playing alongside NBA talent.

In addition to training for the draft with Condon, they are also living together in Los Angeles. With Condon in his ear, Henshall could bring professional experience as a replacement for Aberdeen.

Freshman Phenoms

If the transfer portal does not work out, that would leave an opportunity for Alex Lloyd (247 No. 45 recruit nationally) and CJ Ingram (247 No. 31 recruit nationally). Both recruits are capable off-ball shooters and wing defenders. Todd Golden does not traditionally play freshmen significant minutes, but with the absence of Aberdeen he may have no choice.

Urban Klavzar

Klavzar had an up-and-down season for the Gatos. He started out the season not in the rotation, and then earned minutes with Clayton and Martin out. It is no question that Klavzar is a lights out shooter, but he has struggled on the defensive end. He did not see the court during the Elite Eight, Final Four or national championship due to his lack of height and slowness on the defensive end.

If the Slovenian sharpshooter can work on his rotations and quickness, he could earn the starting role if the Gators are unable to find someone in the portal. With the transfer portal closing Tuesday, Klavzar, Lloyd or Ingram will have to step up this season.