Florida Gators Transfer Xaivian Lee Signs Historic NIL Sneaker Deal

The defending national champion Florida basketball team received a major boost in their upcoming title defense when Princeton star guard Xaivian Lee transferred to the Gators in April. Now, the former two-time All-Ivy League honoree is capitalizing on his move to Gainesville in the form of a historic NIL deal. ESPN and Boardroom's Nick DePaula first reported that Lee has signed a multi-year partnership with China-based footwear brand Serious Player Only that will make him the future face of the company and their next signature sneaker athlete. According to DePaula, the newest Gator is the first college athlete to sign a shoe deal with an international brand. Lee's partnership with Serious Player Only includes player exclusive shoe and apparel launches in 2025 with his first signature sneaker to come in 2026, aligning with a potential NBA debut. The dual citizen (U.S. and Canada) student-athlete of South Korean descent, Lee is an authentic fit to make such a splash in the international sneaker game. Although