Todd Golden didn't just win a national title in 2025; he basically broke the "rebuilding" mold for good. Most programs lose three NBA-caliber guards and face-plant into a "transition year," but looking at the current Florida basketball depth chart, the Gators look more like a reload than a reset. It's weird to say about a team that lost Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin, yet here we are.
Honestly, the chemistry is the big thing. You've got this mix of battle-tested returners like Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh alongside high-octane transfers who probably should have been in the league already. If you're wondering how the minutes are actually shaking out in Gainesville right now, it’s less about a rigid 1-through-12 list and more about Golden’s obsession with "matchup flexibility."
The Backcourt: Boogie and the Princeton Problem
The biggest question everyone had over the summer was how Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee would coexist. It’s a lot of "alpha" in one backcourt. Boogie came over from Arkansas after an injury-shortened freshman year, and he’s playing like a guy with a chip on his shoulder the size of the O’Dome. He’s the starting point guard, period. His speed is different.
Then you have Xaivian Lee.
Coming from Princeton, people worried about the "step up" to the SEC. Those worries lasted about five minutes into the season opener. Lee is essentially a 6-foot-4 surgeon. He’s starting at the two-spot but functions as a secondary creator, which takes the pressure off Boogie to do everything.
Behind them, the depth is actually kind of terrifying for other teams. Urban Klavžar is the veteran "steady hand" off the bench. He’s played high-level ball in Europe and doesn't rattle. Then you have the young guys. Alex Lloyd and CJ Ingram are both top-40 recruits who would start on most mid-major teams right now. Instead, they’re fighting for 10-15 minutes a night.
Isaiah Brown has also carved out a niche as the defensive stopper. If a guy like Wade Taylor IV or Reed Sheppard is going off, Golden tosses Brown out there to ruin their night. It’s a luxury.
The Frontcourt: The Twin Towers (and a Literal Giant)
If the backcourt is the engine, the frontcourt is the reinforced steel frame. Alex Condon returning for his junior year was the "win" of the offseason. Most scouts had him as a late first-rounder, but he came back to prove he’s a stretch-four. He’s starting at the power forward spot, which is a bit of a shift.
By moving Condon to the four, it allows Rueben Chinyelu to anchor the paint as the starting center. Chinyelu is basically a brick wall that can jump. He isn't there to score 20; he’s there to make sure the other team doesn't score anything at the rim.
The Thomas Haugh Factor
A lot of people (including some analysts) hated the idea of Thomas Haugh starting at the small forward (the three). He’s 6-foot-9. Usually, that’s a recipe for getting burned by quicker wings. But Haugh is a freak. He’s mobile enough to stay in front of guards and big enough to shoot over them.
Starting Lineup:
- PG: Boogie Fland (So.)
- SG: Xaivian Lee (Sr.)
- SF: Thomas Haugh (Jr.)
- PF: Alex Condon (Jr.)
- C: Rueben Chinyelu (Jr.)
It’s a massive lineup. It makes the Gators one of the best defensive teams in the country because they just erase passing lanes.
The Bench and the "Rioux" of It All
The second unit is where things get interesting. Micah Handlogten is finally healthy after that horrific leg injury from two years ago. He’s not the starter anymore—which says more about Chinyelu's growth than Micah’s skill—but having a 7-foot-1 guy as your backup center is an embarrassment of riches.
Then there’s Olivier Rioux.
You’ve probably seen the TikToks. He’s 7-foot-9. Yes, really. He’s a freshman, and he’s still "finding his legs" in the college game. He’s not a 20-minute-a-game guy yet. Golden uses him in short bursts, mostly to stand in the middle and exist as a topographical obstacle. It’s a developmental year for him, but the potential is just... well, high. Literally.
AJ Brown, the Ohio transfer, is the "forgotten" man sometimes in this rotation, but he’s basically the Will Richard replacement. He can shoot the lights out. If the starters get into foul trouble, Brown is the guy who comes in and keeps the floor spaced.
Why the Rotation Is Working
Golden’s staff—specifically guys like Jonathan Safir and Dave Klatsky—are heavily into analytics. They aren't just playing the "best" players; they’re playing the best combinations.
- The "Small" Look: They'll slide Haugh to the four, Condon to the five, and bring in AJ Brown at the three. This is their "scoring" lineup.
- The "Jumbo" Look: Keeping Haugh, Condon, and Chinyelu on the floor at the same time. This is what they use to close out games when they have a lead. It's impossible to rebound against.
The real strength of this Florida basketball depth chart isn't just the talent; it's the lack of a drop-off. When the starters sit, the defensive intensity actually stays the same or goes up because guys like Kovatchev and Ingram are playing for their lives to earn more minutes.
The Reality Check
It’s not all perfect. The shooting can be streaky. Without Walter Clayton Jr., they don't have that one guy who can bail them out with a 30-foot contested three-pointer when the shot clock is at two seconds. Boogie is getting there, but he’s more of a slasher.
Also, the transition defense can get wonky with the bigger lineups. If they don't get back, fast guards can beat the "Twin Towers" down the floor.
But honestly? This is the deepest Florida has been since the 2006-2007 repeat years. They have ten guys who could realistically start for 90% of the teams in the SEC. That’s how you survive the February grind.
What to Watch For Next
If you're following the box scores, keep an eye on the "Minutes Distribution" for the freshmen. If Lloyd and Ingram start creeping up toward 18-20 minutes, it means Golden is trust-building for a deep March run.
Also, watch Alex Condon's three-point percentage. If he stays above 36% from deep, it forces opposing centers to leave the paint, which opens up everything for Boogie Fland to get to the rim. That's the key to the whole season.
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Actionable Insight: Keep a close eye on the "Plus/Minus" stats for the bench unit over the next four games. If the Gators' second unit continues to outscore opponents' benches by 8+ points, they are a lock for a top-2 seed in the tournament. The depth isn't just a safety net; it's their primary weapon.