Sophomore forward Alex Condon played a pivotal role in helping the University of Florida secure its first national championship since back-to-back victories in 2006 and 2007. Following this achievement, he has decided to withdraw his name from the 2025 NBA Draft, with aspirations of replicating that success during his junior year.
Condon made his announcement on Tuesday, just a day before the deadline for college players to backtrack on their NBA Draft decisions. He expressed a strong desire to win consecutive championships as a significant factor influencing his choice to return to Florida. “It’s a hard thing to do, winning back-to-back,” Condon remarked. “We’re not taking it lightly. We need to get together as a team, get back to Gainesville, share in some hardship through hard work in the summer, and get used to playing with each other.”
The Australian forward had an impressive season, averaging 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds, ranking fourth in scoring and first in rebounding on the team. His performance positioned him as a potential early second-round pick, as he was ranked 41st on Yahoo Sports’ NBA Draft big board. Through private workouts with NBA teams, Condon worked hard to improve his offensive skills and stated that he “learned a lot about” himself during the draft process.
Florida’s head coach, Todd Golden, supported Condon’s decision and noted that returning for another year could enhance Condon’s prospects in the future.
As Condon looks to build on his previous accomplishments, his commitment reflects the team’s dedication to achieving greatness through collaboration and perseverance. The return of a key player like Condon bodes well for Florida as they strive for another title run in the upcoming season.