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GAINESVILLE — Former Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen will transfer to longtime SEC rival Kentucky, setting the stage for a raucous and emotional return next season to the O’Connell Center.
Aberdeen announced his decision Friday to leave the Gators, and wasted no time choosing his next destination. That he chose Kentucky, as first reported by On3.com, was surprising even in today’s fast-paced, unpredictable world of college basketball and the transfer portal.
He played a key role in UF’s national championship success, appearing in 39 of 40 games primarily as a reserve and averaging 7.7 points and 19.8 minutes. UF coach Todd Golden expected the 6-foot-5, 190-pound rising senior to assume a much more prominent role during his final season in Gainesville.
“He has a chance to be one of the better guards in the SEC next year,” Golden said last month.
Aberdeen instead surprised his coach and Florida fans when he announced plans to transfer.
The former Dr. Phillips standout is expected to now return to his old stomping grounds with a program that long ruled the SEC and has 111-42 mark against Florida, including 6-1 against Golden and 10-3 since 2018.
Aberdeen scored 4 points and had an assists in 14 minutes during the Gators SEC-opening 106-100 overtime loss Jan. 4 at Kentucky under first-year coach Mark Pope.
It was the only meeting between the schools in 2024-25. The Wildcats surely will travel to UF in 2025-26.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]
Continue reading...
Aberdeen announced his decision Friday to leave the Gators, and wasted no time choosing his next destination. That he chose Kentucky, as first reported by On3.com, was surprising even in today’s fast-paced, unpredictable world of college basketball and the transfer portal.
He played a key role in UF’s national championship success, appearing in 39 of 40 games primarily as a reserve and averaging 7.7 points and 19.8 minutes. UF coach Todd Golden expected the 6-foot-5, 190-pound rising senior to assume a much more prominent role during his final season in Gainesville.
“He has a chance to be one of the better guards in the SEC next year,” Golden said last month.
Aberdeen instead surprised his coach and Florida fans when he announced plans to transfer.
The former Dr. Phillips standout is expected to now return to his old stomping grounds with a program that long ruled the SEC and has 111-42 mark against Florida, including 6-1 against Golden and 10-3 since 2018.
Aberdeen scored 4 points and had an assists in 14 minutes during the Gators SEC-opening 106-100 overtime loss Jan. 4 at Kentucky under first-year coach Mark Pope.
It was the only meeting between the schools in 2024-25. The Wildcats surely will travel to UF in 2025-26.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]
Continue reading...
