In a significant development for college basketball, former Princeton standout Xaivian Lee will entirely bypass the 2025 NBA Draft process to focus on his upcoming season with the Florida Gators.
Jon Rothstein reported today via Twitter that Lee’s agent, George S. Langberg of GSL Sports Group, confirmed the junior guard’s decision to concentrate exclusively on his transition to SEC basketball.
Agent Confirmation Ends Draft Speculation After High-Profile Transfer
The two-time All-Ivy first team selection had emerged as a potential second-round draft prospect after his stellar junior campaign, but will now channel all his efforts toward helping the defending national champions pursue back-to-back titles in Gainesville.
Lee’s agent has put to rest any lingering questions about the guard’s immediate professional ambitions following his April commitment to Florida, according to Rothstein’s Twitter post.
“Xaivian Lee will not test the 2025 NBA Draft process and shift his full focus towards the 2025-26 season with Florida, per his agent George S. Langberg of GSL Sports Group,” the analyst tweeted.
Basketball analysts had previously speculated whether the crafty playmaker might test the draft waters while maintaining his college eligibility, a common approach for transfers of his caliber.
“I’m set on going back to school and preparing for the SEC, so I’m not looking to do any of the draft stuff,” Lee previously told The Daily Princetonian, a sentiment now officially endorsed by his representation. Langberg’s confirmation solidifies Lee’s status as a cornerstone addition for the Gators’ title defense strategy.
SEC Challenge Awaits Former Ivy League Standout
The Princeton transfer’s decision to focus exclusively on Florida represents a calculated career move for a player seeking to elevate his draft stock against higher-level competition. NBA scouts have noted Lee’s elite ball handling and pick-and-roll decision-making skills while expressing concerns about his inconsistent finishing and defensive limitations.
Lee’s deliberate choice aligns with his stated motivations for transferring. “I think everyone has their own goals. For me I’m chasing a larger goal” Lee explained. “There’s an opportunity cost that comes with it, but for me, I want to put myself in the best position to achieve those goals. It’s definitely not easy giving up a Princeton degree.”
The Florida coaching staff aggressively pursued Lee when he entered the portal, with head coach Todd Golden contacting him during the Final Four in San Antonio.
The guard’s reunion with former high school teammate Thomas Haugh adds another compelling dimension to his arrival in Gainesville. He’s projected to fill the starting role vacated by Walter Clayton Jr., who earned Most Outstanding Player honors during Florida’s national championship run and is now preparing for the next stage of his basketball career.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
Lee’s decision demonstrates the evolving landscape of college basketball, where talented players strategically navigate between NBA aspirations and collegiate opportunities.
As Florida reloads with championship expectations, Lee’s commitment to bypassing the draft process signals his confidence that another year of high-level competition in the SEC will ultimately better position him for professional success in 2026.
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