Aussie Alex Condon opts out of NBA draft to return to Florida - ESPN

Australian big man Alex Condon will withdraw his name from the 2025 NBA draft and return to Florida for his junior season, he told ESPN on Tuesday.

«It's a really good situation waiting for me there,» Condon said. «A great coach with Todd Golden. Teammates I won a national championship with. I have great chemistry with those boys. We have a good transfer class coming in. I expect guys to make a leap. My big man coach Carlin Hartman is returning, so I will keep developing my game with him.»

Condon, the No. 38 prospect in ESPN's draft projections, played an integral role in Florida's national championship run, and will have a major say in the Gators' hopes of repeating next season.

«It's a hard thing to do, winning back-to-back,» Condon said. «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. Part of the reason we were so good last season was we got used to playing with each other for two years. We need to continue that. When guys have your back, that's what makes a great team.»

Condon was named third-team All-SEC after averaging 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks in 24.9 minutes per game.

He helped Florida to a 36-4 record, including 12 straight wins to end the season to both secure the SEC tournament title and cut down the nets in San Antonio. He had a memorable performance in the championship game, posting 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals in a win over Houston, diving on the floor for a loose ball in the final seconds to seal the 65-63 victory.

«This was a surreal season,» Condon told ESPN. «There was so much depth on this team, and we all played unselfishly.