Everyone in Gainesville is still riding that high from the national championship, but honestly, the conversation has shifted. It’s not just about the banner anymore. It’s about the new blood. Specifically, it’s about the Florida freshman basketball player crop that Todd Golden just hauled in.
If you’ve been scrolling through Twitter or catching highlights at the O’Dome, you’ve seen the names: CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd. These aren't just "project" players. They are high-ceiling athletes stepping into a program that is currently the gold standard of the SEC.
The CJ Ingram Factor: More Than Just a Legacy
Let’s talk about CJ Ingram. If that name sounds familiar to Gators fans, it should. He’s the son of Florida football legend Cornelius Ingram. But don't get it twisted—CJ isn't here to catch touchdowns. He’s a 6-foot-6 wing who plays with a level of physicality that usually takes three years of college weight rooms to develop.
Coming out of Montverde Academy, Ingram was ranked as high as No. 19 in the 2025 class. That's elite territory.
He’s a two-sport athlete at heart, and you can see it in how he defends. He doesn't just "guard" people; he walls them off. During the fall practices, Coach Golden mentioned that CJ was already running with the "blue" squad—the front-line guys—during full-contact scrimmages. That’s rare for a freshman. Most kids are struggling to learn the defensive rotations, but CJ is already trying to rip the ball away from veteran transfers like Xaivian Lee.
Why he fits the 2026 rotation:
- Positional Versatility: He can slide into that "3" spot behind Thomas Haugh.
- Athleticism: He’s got the frame to absorb contact in the SEC.
- IQ: Playing at Montverde means he’s already been coached at a near-pro level.
Alex Lloyd: The Scoring Spark
Then there’s Alex Lloyd. While Ingram brings the grit, Lloyd brings the "wiggle." He’s a 6-foot-3 guard out of Westminster Academy in Miami, and he knows how to put the ball in the hoop.
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Lloyd was a four-star recruit, sitting around the top 40 nationally. In a backcourt that already features Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee, you might think minutes would be hard to come by. But Lloyd has a specific skill set: he's a shot-maker.
Sometimes the offense gets stagnant. You need a guy who can create something out of nothing when the shot clock hits five seconds. That’s Alex Lloyd. He’s shifty. He’s confident. Honestly, he plays like a guy who doesn't realize he's a freshman yet, and that's exactly what Golden wants.
The 7-foot-9 Elephant in the Room
We can't talk about a Florida freshman basketball player without mentioning Olivier Rioux. Technically, he’s a redshirt freshman this year, but the hype is still fresh.
Look, the guy is 7-foot-9. That’s a Guinness World Record. When he checks into a game, the O'Connell Center literally shakes. We saw it in the blowout against North Florida and again versus Saint Francis. When he caught that bounce pass from CJ Ingram and dunked it without even jumping? The place went nuts.
Is he going to play 20 minutes a night? No. Probably not this year. But as a developmental piece, he is the ultimate "X-factor." You can't coach 7-foot-9. You just can't.
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Life in the Dorms: Building the Bond
One of the coolest details about this group is their chemistry. Urban Klavzar, the Slovenian guard who had a wild ride with eligibility last year, actually moved into the dorms with Lloyd and Ingram over the summer.
Klavzar mentioned in an interview with The Independent Florida Alligator that the freshmen were quiet at first. "Now we talk more and more every day," he said. That kind of off-court bonding is why this team looks so cohesive even when the bench units are in. They aren't just teammates; they're roommates.
What People Get Wrong About These Freshmen
A lot of "experts" thought this 2025-26 season would be a transition year. They figured after losing guys like Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin to the pros, the Gators would take a step back.
They forgot that Todd Golden is a monster on the recruiting trail.
The biggest misconception is that these freshmen are just "insurance" for the veterans. They aren't. They are active contributors. When you see CJ Ingram checking in during a tight SEC game in January, it’s not because someone is in foul trouble. It’s because he earned those minutes in November.
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Real Talk on the SEC Grind
The SEC is a gauntlet this year. Kentucky is reloaded under Mark Pope, and Arkansas is... well, they’re Arkansas. For a Florida freshman basketball player, there is no "easy" night.
- Physicality: The jump from high school to the SEC is like hitting a brick wall.
- Travel: Those Tuesday night road games in Starkville or Auburn are brutal.
- Mental Hurdles: One bad shooting night can't turn into a bad week.
Lloyd and Ingram seem to have the mental toughness to handle it. They’ve both played on huge stages before—Jordan Brand Classics, national high school tournaments—so the bright lights don't seem to blind them.
Actionable Insights for Gator Fans
If you’re heading to the O’Dome or watching on ESPN, keep your eyes on these specific things:
- Watch the substitutions at the 12-minute mark. This is usually when CJ Ingram gets his first run. Notice how he positions his body on the defensive glass.
- Look for Alex Lloyd’s transition play. He loves to push the pace. If he gets a steal, he’s gone.
- Check the bench energy. Even when they aren't playing, these freshmen are the loudest ones on the sideline. That culture is why they won a title last year, and it's why they're ranked in the top 5 again.
The Gators aren't just playing for today; they’re building a multi-year dynasty. With Ingram and Lloyd leading the freshman class, the future in Gainesville looks just as bright as the present.
Keep an eye on the box scores. While the stars like Alex Condon and Boogie Fland get the headlines, the freshmen are the ones providing the depth that wins championships in March.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Follow the official Florida Gators basketball social media accounts for "Mic'd Up" segments featuring the freshmen.
- Watch the replay of the Saint Francis game to see the first collegiate field goal by Olivier Rioux—it’s a piece of history.
- Monitor the SEC freshman of the week honors; don't be surprised if Lloyd or Ingram pops up there before February.