In a stunning announcement that has sent ripples through college basketball, Florida Gators forward Alex Condon declared on July 27, 2025, that he will return for his junior season, withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft to pursue “unfinished business” in Gainesville. The 6-foot-11 Australian, a cornerstone of Florida’s 2024-25 NCAA Championship run, aims to lead the Gators to a historic repeat and cement his legacy as one of the program’s all-time greats. Condon’s decision, shared via a heartfelt post on X, has electrified Gator Nation, with fans and analysts hailing the move as a game-changer for the team’s 2025-26 national title aspirations.
Condon’s sophomore campaign was nothing short of spectacular, as he averaged 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, earning All-SEC second-team honors. His clutch performance in the 2025 NCAA Championship game against Houston—12 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, including a game-sealing dive for a loose ball in a 65-63 victory—etched his name in Florida lore. Despite an ankle injury hampering his NCAA Tournament play, Condon’s versatility as a playmaking big man, relentless rebounding, and elite rim protection helped Florida finish 36-4 and claim their third national title. His return alongside frontcourt mates Rueben Chinyelu, Thomas Haugh, and Micah Handlogten positions the Gators’ frontcourt as arguably the nation’s best, with a +33.1 net rating when Condon and Haugh shared the floor, per CBB Analytics.[](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/alex-condon-returns-to-florida-gators-may-have-top-frontcourt-after-big-man-withdraws-from-2025-nba-draft/)
The decision to stay comes after Condon tested the NBA waters, where he was projected as a late first-round pick (No. 38 on ESPN’s big board). “It’s a hard thing to do, winning back-to-back,” Condon told ESPN. “I have great chemistry with these boys, and we’re not taking it lightly.” With guards Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin departing for the NBA, Condon is poised to take on a larger offensive role, leveraging his improved jumper and post-up efficiency (50th percentile nationally) to complement new transfers like Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee. His ability to sprint the floor, crash the glass, and facilitate from dribble handoffs made him a linchpin in coach Todd Golden’s continuity ball-screen offense, and fans on X are buzzing about his potential to become a lottery pick in 2026 while chasing Florida’s second repeat title this century.[](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/45345388/australian-alex-condon-leaves-nba-draft-return-florida)[](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44697326/florida-alex-condon-enter-nba-draft-maintain-ncaa-eligibility)
Condon’s vow to cement his legacy among Florida’s greatest places him in the company of icons like Joakim Noah and Al Horford, who led the Gators to back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. With a reloaded roster featuring top-40 recruits CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd, plus a preseason top-five ranking looming, Condon’s return signals Florida’s intent to dominate the SEC and beyond. “I want to leave a mark that lasts forever,” Condon said, per GatorsWire. As the Gators gear up for their season opener in November, the college basketball world is on notice: Alex Condon is back, and he’s ready to lead Florida to another championship while etching his name in history.[](https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/gators/mens-basketball/2025/05/27/florida-basketball-alex-condon-decides-return-nba-draft/83801632007/)
