Florida guard Bennett Andersen (22) celebrates after defeating Alabama in a Southeastern Conference tournament semifinal game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 15, 2025. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Gators Walk-On Gets Scholarship NIL Deal

Originally posted on Florida Gators on SI
By Austin Walls | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 8:00 AM ET

GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- The Florida Gators have a team that needs no introduction. With names like Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, Alijah Martin, Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh, the Gators are one of the top teams in the country.

However, it's a walk-on who has taken the spotlight during the team's run to the Final Four.

Bennett Andersen, a former team manager, was given an NIL deal with Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux after his performance in the team's win over Maryland in the Sweet 16 went viral. The fact that a walk-on got on the court in the Sweet 16 is practically unheard of. What Anderson did next sent his teammates into a frenzy.

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“So I just wanted to come and personally congratulate you and thank you for being an inspiration for so many walk-ons like me and you and your teammates in the world. One more thing I forgot,” Landry said. “We also give scholarships, and you just got one.”

In the end, Andersen received a $10,000 scholarship from the organization.

Andersen and the Gators will be playing for a shot at the NCAA Championship in San Antonio this upcoming weekend against the Auburn Tigers. Should the Gators get it done and advance to the National Championship game, it would be a very eventful few weeks for him as he finishes up college.

The Gators will face SEC foe Auburn on Saturday for a chance to go to the National Championship. Tipoff in San Antonio is at 6:09 p.m. ET.