The Florida basketball team got some good news on Tuesday as star big man Alex Condon will return to the program for another season. Condon has been testing the NBA Draft waters, but he decided that it is in his best interest to come back to Florida for one more season. Condon was a major player on the Gators' national title team, and he is coming back to go for a second in a row.

“NEWS: Alex Condon will withdraw from the NBA draft and return to Florida, he told ESPN,” Jonathan Givony said in a post. “Condon played an integral role in Florida's national championship run, and will have a major say in the Gators' hopes of repeating.”

Alex Condon will have to wait before he lives out his dream of playing in the NBA, but he recognizes the fact that a return to the Florida basketball team is a great option.

“It's a really good situation waiting for me there,” Condon said, according to an article from ESPN. “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.”

With Condon back, the Florida basketball team is going to have high expectations for the 2025-26 season. After winning a national championship, there's nothing that the Gators can do to avoid a step back besides winning it all again.

“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 A 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.”

This past season was a special one for Florida, and Condon realizes that there is a lot that went into that championship run. It won't be easy to replicate.

“This was a surreal season,” Condon added. “There was so much depth on this team, and we all played unselfishly. A lot of guys stepped up in big moments. We had a great team, and that's the reason we won the championship.”

While Condon didn't end up staying in the draft, he still perfected his game and got himself even more ready for the Florida basketball season.

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“I learned a lot about myself,” he said. “Isolating my game and getting with trainers every day, learning how to be consistent. My jumper has improved immensely with how much work I've put into that. My overall offensive package will be on display more at Florida next season.”

Condon ultimately credits his parents for putting him in a lot of sports growing up as that helped him become the player that he is today. He also wouldn't be here without Florida head coach Todd Golden.

“My parents put me in a lot of sports,” Condon said. “That was good for developing my hand-eye coordination. Playing football helped me develop my toughness. I didn't come to Florida with too many expectations. The coaching staff bet on me, and I wanted to reward them by playing as hard as I could. Coach Golden gave me the opportunity to play as a freshman, which helped my transition to this year, where I played with more confidence and became an important part of the team.”

Speaking of Todd Golden, he couldn't be happier to be getting one of his star players back.

“Todd Golden says he's ‘thrilled' that Condon is returning to the Gators,” Pete Thamel said in a post. “Said he had a great process, with a lot of good feedback. ‘Fortunately, he's positioned himself nicely.'”

With Alex Condon back, the Florida basketball team is feeling good as it begins to prepare to defend its national title.