Pass or Fail? Final Grades for Florida Men’s Basketball Season
The conclusion of the Florida men’s basketball team’s season is nearly a week removed, and it’s easy to say that the year was a failure. What was looking like a bid for back-to-back national championships quickly turned into a second-round exit after a heartbreaking game-winning shot from Iowa.
However, just because the Gators were bounced earlier — well, much earlier — than expected, there is plenty of room to give praise from the 2025-26 campaign.
WRUF Florida men’s basketball beat reporters Riley Orovitz, Jesse Bratman and Caroline King handed final grades to the pieces of this year’s Gators program.
Todd Golden and assistant coaches
Orovitz: A-
Bratman: A-
King: A-
Even with the shocking Round of 32 loss to Iowa, it wasn’t coaching that cost the Gators a chance to repeat: it was execution. Golden aimed to foul Bennett Stirtz with his team up two points with 8.9 seconds left in the game to force overtime. That was the right move, as Golden was confident in his group’s ability to win with an extra five minutes.
Outside of Florida’s final outing, Golden proved to be one of the best coaches in the country, earning SEC Coach of the Year in his fourth season with Florida. What’s also impressive is Golden’s ability to transform this year’s team to have a completely different identity than last year’s backcourt-heavy team. To be able to create a new identity with this much success tells a lot about the elite coach that Golden is.
Loading ...Thomas Haugh
Orovitz: A
Bratman: A+
King: A+
Thomas Haugh had an exceptional junior campaign, having averaged 17.1 points per game and cemented himself as a potential lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. He went from a player who lived in the paint to one of the premier perimeter scorers in the country. Haugh’s last three years at Florida emulated exactly what it means to be a Gator. Haugh’s rise this season was among the most notable in college basketball, and his accolades are a testament to that growth.
Alex Condon
Orovitz: B+
Bratman: B
King: A
Condon had a rollercoaster of a season. The forward was a preseason All-American and was supposed to lead this team, but ended up arguably the third best player on the team. While he had some stellar performances, like his 25 points against Alabama, Condon had some untapped potential. The Aussie showed out in the NCAA Tournament, but dealt with immense turnover issues throughout the season. Condon showed resilience throughout the season, never allowing slumps to alter his identity and continuing to impact the Gators with his passing and mobility.
Rueben Chinyelu
Orovitz: A-
Bratman: A
King: A-
For the vast majority of the season, Chinyelu dominated the paint on both sides of the floor, averaging a double-double in points and rebounds. The Nigerian center also made a serious case for Defensive Player of the Year, but was practically invisible when it mattered most. Chinyelu came out of the Iowa loss scoreless and reeled in one rebound. Chinyelu jumped from averaging six points and six rebounds last season to 11 and 11 this year, earning accolade after accolade along the way. While some inconsistency slightly lowers his grade, his growth into one of the nation’s top defensive players is undeniably impressive.
Boogie Fland
Orovitz: B
Bratman: C
King: B+
Fland couldn’t find his 3-point shot the entire year, shooting 24% from distance. The Arkansas transfer was a five-star recruit and one of the best freshmen in the country before suffering a hand injury last season. Although his on-ball defense is suffocating, Fland never looked comfortable offensively, especially after coming into a program that lost its three main backcourt pieces last season. Fland’s defensive presence, alongside Chinyelu, anchored what made this Gators defense so effective. While his 3-point shot struggled for much of the season, there were flashes of just how dangerous his jumper can be.
Xaivian Lee
Orovitz: C+
Bratman: B-
King: B-
After an abysmal shooting slump in non-conference play, Lee started to get his shot back in SEC play. He played a major factor in the Vanderbilt win Jan. 17, knocking down the go-ahead 3. With 45 seconds to play. Like Fland, Lee transferred into a group that lost major offensive contributors and had large shoes to fill. His turnover against Iowa in the Round of 32 will be talked about immensely down the stretch. Expectations for Lee entering the season were high, and he didn’t fully meet them. Still, he showed resilience through his slumps, flashing his potential in stretches despite some inconsistency.
Urban Klavžar
Orovitz: A
Bratman: A
King: A+
Klavzar was a breath of fresh air for a team that needed a major spark after it struggled from behind the arc. Florida’s go-to 3-point shooter hit 40% from the perimeter and earned the SEC Sixth Man of the Year award. He played his role perfectly and is primed for a big junior season. Klavzar surpassed expectations for him this season and gave Florida the perfect push off the bench.
Isaiah Brown
Orovitz: A
Bratman: A
King: A
It was unclear if Brown was even going to make the rotation this year, but the sophomore earned every minute he saw on the court. His defensive intensity and explosive leaping ability provided an instant spark off the bench. Brown was everything a coach could ask for in an eighth man, outside of his disappointing late-game miss from the charity stripe against Iowa. Brown was a player Golden frequently praised for his impact on this team. He embraced his role, providing defensive energy and athleticism when it was needed most.
Micah Handlogten
Orovitz: C+
Bratman: B
King: B+
Based on rebounding and hustle plays alone, Handlogten earns an A+. However, his offensive production has not been the same since suffering a gruesome leg injury in the 2024 SEC Tournament. Handlogten was essentially just a rim protector and lob threat. The 7-foot-1 center never cost the Gators a win, but he was not the reason for one either. Yet his minus-15 net differential ranked as the worst for Florida in its final contest of 2026. Handlogten brought great energy and comradery to the team. Often praised as one of its most unselfish players, he would help the Gators in those hustle and rebounding plays.
Category: Feature Sports News, Gators Men's Basketball
