Latest news with #Gators'
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida basketball returns to Orange Bowl Classic with matchup vs. George Washington
Florida basketball has officially locked in a matchup with George Washington for the 2025 Orange Bowl Classic on Saturday, Dec. 13. The non-conference game will be played at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, marking the Gators' return to the annual South Florida showcase for the first time since 2023. Florida holds a 19-4 all-time record in the Orange Bowl Classic, including a win over Richmond in its last appearance two seasons ago when Todd Golden was in his second year with the Gators. The Orange Bowl Classic–the only Division I basketball showcase held in Broward County–will return as a doubleheader this season, highlighted by Florida taking on George Washington and Florida State facing off against UMass. The Gators and the Revolutionaries have met four times historically, with the series tied 2-2. Their last clash came in the 2016 NIT quarterfinals, where Florida fell on the road. Now, nearly a decade later, the Gators get a chance at payback in their home state. Along with this game on their non-conference schedule, the Gators will face off against the Miami Hurricanes in Jacksonville on Sunday, Nov. 16, which completes their early-season slate. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Miami Herald
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Four-star LB Malik Morris commits to Florida
Four-star linebacker Malik Morris has committed to Florida, marking the Gators' 17th recruit in the Class of 2026. The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder attends Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Fla., located about 120 miles from Florida's campus in Gainesville. Morris is ranked as the 12th linebacker in his class, 27th in Florida and 202nd nationally, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He took an official visit to Florida on June 13, after previously visiting Texas A&M and Miami. Morris also held offers from Alabama, Georgia, Texas and other powerhouse programs. "Just the atmosphere they have at Florida is unexplainable. If you've ever been to a Florida game, it's 90,000 people just in there rocking," Morris told Gators Online in May. "It's the crib. I'm from Florida, so it's right here." The linebacker tallied 95 tackles, nine sacks and three forced fumbles en route to winning Ledger All-County Defensive Player of the Year. Morris also tacked on five rushing touchdowns for a Lakeland squad that went 13-1 and appeared in 5A state title game. Morris is Florida's first linebacker recruit in the 2026 class and its fifth-highest rated prospect overall in the class. The Gators now rank 15th in 247Sports' 2026 team recruiting rankings with 11 four-stars and five three-stars. "It's going back to the old Florida. How it used to be, and how it's supposed to be," Morris said to Gators Online about the school's recruiting. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Walter Clayton Jr.'s Surprise NBA Draft Destination Revealed
Walter Clayton Jr.'s Surprise NBA Draft Destination Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Walter Clayton Jr. only wore orange and blue for two seasons, but the mark he made will live on in Gainesville and broader SEC hoops lore forever. Advertisement After arriving from Iona University to man an off-ball role for Todd Golden's Forida Gators as a junior, Clayton elevated his game to rare heights taking over point guard duties for his final college season. All he got for his troubles? Legend status as the face of the Gators' third-ever men's basketball national championship squad. In averaging over 18 points per game with a penchant for long-range daggers in the biggest clutch moments, Clayton not only earned All-SEC First Team honors, but also became the very first player in program history to be named a consensus First Team All-American. His thrilling exploits welcomed the occasional Stephen Curry comparison -- and helped him soar from relative obscurity among NBA scouts right into first-round draft pick potential. On Wednesday night at the NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York, the dream came true. So, with the pick now officially in, who drafted Walter Clayton Jr. anyway?!? Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. holds up the trophy after winning the 2025 NCAA championship in San Antonio, Donnan-Imagn Images Moments ago, despite all signs reportedly pointing in the direction of the Miami Heat, Commissioner Adam Silver delivered a curveball: With the No. 18 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards selected the Gators' all-timer... Advertisement ...Only to turn right around and deal him to the Washington Wizards. Walter Clayton Jr. College Stats 2024-25 PPG : 18.3 RPG : 3.7 APG : 4.2 SPG : 1.2 BPG: 0.5 FG %: 44.8 3P %: 38.6 FT %: 87.5 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player SEC Tournament MVP First Team All-American First Team All-SEC In the draft night deal, the Wizards reportedly received, per insider Jake Fischer, picks No. 21 and 43 along with two future second-rounders. The late momentum broke plainly in Miami's direction, with Clayton reportedly canceling his remaining scheduled workouts after a final visit with the Heat during draft week. The Lake Wales, Florida native's journey has been nothing short of remarkable, and stands as a testament to how yeoman's work, opportunistic grit, and undeniable swagger come together on the hardwood. Advertisement Welcome to Salt Lake City, Walter Clayton Jr.! This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
CBS Sports: Can DJ Lagway save Billy Napier's job for good?
Florida football's late-season turnaround in 2024 might have saved head coach Billy Napier's job. Now the pressure is on the Gators' skipper to prove it wasn't a fluke–and with DJ Lagway under center, the path back to national relevance is clearer than it's been in years. As CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello detailed, the Gators' 1-2 stumble last September nearly sealed Napier's fate. A blowout loss to the Miami Hurricanes left Gator Nation bracing for another reset. Instead, Napier doubled down. Florida ripped off eight wins, took down ranked LSU and Ole Miss teams in back-to-back weeks, and finished with its first winning season since 2020–capped by a four-game win streak and a bowl victory. "We built really good chemistry, morale and connection with that group," Napier told CBS Sports, crediting his players for taking ownership and buying into the turnaround. "The football wasn't very good the first month, and they really took ownership of that. Maybe if you didn't have that type of character, I don't think we could have done that." The challenge now? Sustain it. Florida enters 2025 with real College Football Playoff hopes but also sky-high expectations that Napier's 19-19 record won't survive if the Gators slide backward again. The biggest reason for optimism is Lagway. The sophomore quarterback was cleared for full participation in June after offseason injuries and, as Marcello noted, the numbers don't lie: Florida was 6-0 in games Lagway finished last year and just 2-5 when he didn't. With four starting offensive linemen returning, one of the SEC's best wide receiver rooms reloaded by UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant and a defense that looked revitalized late last fall, the pieces are there for the Florida Gators to take a step back toward the CFP. Napier summed up the belief simply: "Man, we got a chance to be pretty good." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Freshman catcher becomes 7th Florida baseball transfer departure
Freshman catcher becomes 7th Florida baseball transfer departure Florida catcher Brock Clayton entered the transfer portal this week, adding to the Gators' growing list of departures after a lackluster. Roster turnover is inevitable in this era of college baseball. Getting on the dirt early is every player's priority, and a year of waiting can be the difference between staying and going. That appears to be the case for Clayton, who did not play as a true freshman. While Clayton can take a redshirt and retain all four years of eligibility, he'll be draft-eligible next offseason, regardless of playtime. He's right on the cutoff, but Clayton will be 21 years old when the draft between his second and third college seasons takes place. It's a good thing for him because of increased leverage, but he's still the same prospect he was in high school until there's game film on him. It's hard not to read the tea leaves here, though. Florida's catching situation is dire next season unless Brody Donay or Luke Heyman is staying. Donay is going to the draft combine and would be taking a Ty Evans-like gamble on himself if he came back, and last offseason's JUCO addition Cole Bullen left earlier this month. Florida Baseball 2025 Transfer Portal Movement Clayton is the seventh player to leave Florida for the transfer portal this offseason. Left-handed sophomore Jacob Gomberg was the first to depart, followed by right-handers Alex Philpott (So.) and Carson Montsdeoca (Fr.). JUCO catcher Cole Bullen (Jr.) and right-handed freshmen Niko Janssens and Felix Ong made up the next wave of transfers. Of course, Florida's early exit from the NCAA Tournament allowed Kevin O'Sullivan to make recruiting calls ahead of schedule, and the Gators have brought in four names. Notre Dame senior Ricky Reeth and UCF sophomore Russell Sandefer are the new right-handed arms, and the recent addition of Jacksonville's Jaden Bastian gives the Orange and Blue an elite outfield. Catcher AJ Malzone from the JUCO ranks rounds out the group. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
