The deadline for withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft process is Wednesday, May 28, and some potential withdrawals will significantly impact college basketball next season. Florida is one of those teams that deadline-day withdrawals could most impact.
The defending champions are the team to beat this year, and they must be highly focused and consistent if they want to retain the national title. HC Todd Golden hasn’t relented after winning the title, as he’s managed to grab some talents in the portal and retain some key pieces from the championship-winning roster.
College Basketball Insider Suggests Adou Thiero’s Decision Could Affect Florida’s Chances
Arkansas forward Adou Thiero declared for the NBA Draft and is set to pursue his professional career, but there are talks about him returning to play one more year of college basketball.
It doesn’t look likely that he’ll return at this point, but college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein believes that if he does return, it could impact Florida.
“…Adou Thiero is another player I’m expecting to stay in the NBA Draft. That’s been the vibe out of Arkansas. That’s been the vibe out of Thiero”, Rothstein said.
“He’s one of those guys, though, who is a fringe first-round pick. And I’m not expecting this to happen, but if Adou Thiero ever came back to Arkansas next year, if that happened, which sometimes crazy things happen at the deadline, we’ve seen some of them happen today. Arkansas would be the top challenger to Florida in the SEC. If that happened.”
Florida themselves have welcomed the return of forward Alex Condon, a projected early second-round draft pick. Condon withdrew his name from the 2025 NBA Draft and will return to Florida for his junior season.
Condon 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game last season. He blocked 49 shots in total. He recorded seven double-doubles, scored in double figures 18 times, and grabbed at least 10 rebounds 10 times.
KEEP READING: Where Will Florida’s Stars Go in 2025 NBA Draft? Latest Projections For Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin
Condon will join Reuben Chinyelu, who also withdrew from the draft, leaving Golden with a solid frontcourt that brought the national title to Florida.
The Gators also grabbed Boogie Fland, AJ Brown, and Xaivian Lee from the transfer portal in an attempt to replace three championship-winning guards, Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard.
Florida also brought in a solid recruiting class ahead of the new season. After Wednesday, though, we’ll know whether Arkansas looks to challenge Florida in the SEC this season.
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