The NCAA transfer portal continues to reshape the landscape of college basketball, but with growing concerns surrounding its misuse, particularly tied to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, many are beginning to cry out: “End the portal.”
A spotlight has been cast recently on the University of Florida’s backcourt shuffle following the high-profile commitment of Xaivian Lee, a standout point guard transferring from Princeton.
Lee’s move has sparked intrigue, not only due to his on-court talent but also due to its ripple effects—namely, the surprise decision by Denzel Aberdeen to enter the transfer portal amid reports linking his departure to NIL financial negotiations.
Xaivian Lee Becomes a Gator
Coming off an All-Ivy First Team season at Princeton, Lee averaged 16.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.9 rebounds while shooting a respectable 44.5% from the field and 35.2% from beyond the arc.
His commitment to Florida gives the reigning NCAA champions a much-needed playmaker following the departure of key guards like Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard.
At 6’4″, Lee brings size, vision, and scoring ability to the Gators’ backcourt and was a top target for major programs including Duke, Kentucky, and St. John’s before ultimately choosing Florida.
But Lee’s arrival may have also been the final push that led Denzel Aberdeen to reconsider his future with the program.
Denzel Aberdeen and NIL Frustrations
While some speculated that Aberdeen’s transfer decision stemmed from a reduced role with Lee joining the team, Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 revealed a more nuanced narrative, Aberdeen’s exit appears to be financially motivated.
Sources suggest that NIL compensation played a critical role in Aberdeen’s decision to explore other opportunities. Whether another program made a better offer behind the scenes or if Aberdeen is leveraging the portal as a negotiation tactic, the situation has highlighted the messy and unregulated reality of college athletics today.
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
Fans and insiders alike are growing frustrated with how NIL is being used less to support athletes fairly and more as a bidding war. What once was a system designed to bring fairness and opportunity is increasingly being viewed as a tool for financial leverage, threatening the integrity and balance of the college game.
With Lee locked in and Aberdeen likely on his way out, the Gators are left to re-evaluate their guard rotation. Still, the coaching staff may once again turn to the portal to fill the depth left by Aberdeen.
KEEP READING: ‘We Going Back to Back’ — Florida Fans Rejoice as Princeton Transfer Xaivian Lee Commits to the Gators
The situation unfolding at Florida is just one of many across the country. As more players enter the portal and NIL offers continue to sway decisions, college basketball is entering a new era, one filled with opportunity, but also uncertainty.
The phrase “End the portal” may not be a literal call to shut down player movement, but rather a plea to bring balance, regulation, and transparency back to a sport now caught in a tug-of-war between tradition and compensation.
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