I’ve heard different numbers, but they all suggest at least 500k. Whether or not that’s actually true is hard to say. Regardless, it is not an insignificant amount.
Refrained from commenting until the shock wore off. Yes, he would be our primary guard next year. Looks from what is being put out there that this is mostly a NIL money issue. Hate that he’s tossed his name in the portal, hate it! Maybe those remaining on the team got $ bumps and there just wasn’t enough to satisfy Denz. No hate for the guy, I just hope he’s happy with his landing spot.
I have no idea what he thinks. I would have a hard time advising him to turn down an extra mill right now based on what I think of him though. All I think is fair to ask of him is that he gives UF a chance to match. If we were talking something under 100k difference, I don’t think we’re even having this discussion. I think he’s being offered significantly more. I think if Todd wanted to keep him that badly, they’d find the money for him. I still haven’t ruled out that they might.
This was never what the NCAA wanted. They didn’t intend to correct anything and were perfectly happy with the athletes getting nothing but the scholarship and all the things that come with it, plus a stipend. This is just what they got for fighting it instead of trying to work something out when they had the chance.
When will rival teams start poaching players with $'s just to get them off our roster? I pretty much think that Calipari offered Stacey Poole, Jr a scholly just so he wasn't a Gator and never intended to have him play much
The scools arent paying, they are just collecting. Why should they care. I know tgey care, just not enough to get their checkbook out. Any solution that doesnt involve their money will fly. Boosters have to get their fill of this system right?
I understand and respect that POV, but he is a 3 year player who knows the system and played a very important role in winning the Natty. I never like to see a good player with experience and a great attitude leave.
Said it b4, and say it again, NIL, as it is now, and the Portal, as it is now, have ruined college sports.
We were all just gifted with another National Championship (and that after a very long 18 year wait). And it was an absolutely thrilling ride. Incredible actually. DA was not a star, but he was a very important and beloved team member. A true, extremely loyal Gator. And I suspect he’d be a starter next year, but his 3 buddy guards are all gone. I don’t believe DA is now or ever will be an NBA player. Maybe he can play overseas someday, but today he has an opportunity to get himself a nice raise, probably a life-changing raise, all while starting, getting a degree and continuing his basketball development at another school, under the guidance of a different coaching staff. And how exactly is that wrong? I can tell you that I’ve loved co-workers/employers and been beloved by co-workers/employers, and I’ve been hired away, left, no hard feelings, always with understanding and always welcomed back for a visit, with warmth. I’ve benefited my family, never felt guilty. Personally sad cause I hate to see DA go, but happy for him too. Good on you DA. And Go Gators!
Aberdeen was a three-year student-athlete at the Univ. of Florida. If he leaves, he will miss out on the adulation from his fellow students, alumni and fans next season. As well as going out as a Senior next year - not too many can say that these days. But, that's his choice. Hopefully, he will get a good nil deal either from Florida or someone else. Thanks to Denzel and all of the other UF players leaving the team for being part of the Florida basketball team and for all of the successes and low points during this journey.
And my goodness y’all NIL just won us a National Championship! 6 members of our 24-25 team were portal players. 6! And 4 of those were starters. 4 (Clayton, Alijah Martin, Will Richard, and Chinyelu). Kinda NIL’d ourselves a championship winning head coach too. Yes y’all, I know all of us fans preferred the old 4 year recruit system, but gotta admit NIL was pretty darn fun for us Gators this year. NIL been berry, berry good to me.
Honestly, I hate the NIL even when we land players. My favorite aspect of being a fan is following the growth and development of a team and its players. That has mostly been lost in college basketball. Though your points are accurate, I do think we were a bit different than your typical “portal-built” team. It was a unique combination multi-year transfers (Richard, Clayton, Chinny, Micah) and contributing recruits/returnees (Condon, Haugh, Urban, Zel). Only Martin was a 1-year player. And so it feels as though we have built some continuity and sustainability. This loss undermines that feeling a bit… at least for me.
Loved this team. Loved em, loved em, loved em, but we still got 4 of our 5 starters through the portal (with NIL money). 4 out of 5! NIL absolutely worked for us. Somehow I too hate NIL, but there’s no denying that it gave us one of, maybe the single most exciting basketball season of our lives (and I’m Reggie Hannah, Dwayne Schintuis, Alligator Alley old). The fact that the 3 portal guards, all stars, have to leave helped me put a real kinda period on this team. We will have a few players, stars, coming back (I hope), but I kinda feel 2025 was a shooting star (no basketball pun intended). Sad yes, but I feel nothing but warmth in my heart for each of those players and wish each one of them health, riches and the best; thank them so much for the gift that they gave me.
