Florida's repeat hopes bolstered with significant transfer portal addition

Per On3, Fland is the 10th-best player in this year's transfer portal class. As a freshman at Arkansas in 2024-25, Fland appeared in 21 games (18 starts). He played 31.7 minutes per game and averaged 13.5 points, 5.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals.

Fland's promising season derailed after suffering a hand injury that required in-season thumb surgery five games into SEC competition.

After beginning the season shooting 44.6 percent (40.3 percent on three-point field-goal attempts) and averaging 15.9 points per game in 13 non-conference games, Fland's numbers diminished in conference play and the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

In his final eight games, Fland averaged 9.5 points on 27.1 percent shooting (23.1 percent from deep).

With a full offseason to recover, Fland should be back to his early 2024-25 numbers, which bodes well for Florida's repeat odds.

He's the third significant addition to the Gators' No. 35 transfer portal class, according to On3's national rankings. Fland joins 6-foot-4 Ohio shooting guard AJ Brown and 6-foot-4 Princeton point guard Xaivian Lee.

Brown averaged a career-high 13.2 points as a junior in 2024-25 and shot 42 percent from distance on 5.1 attempts per game in 16 Mid-American Conference games.

Lee, also a rising senior, averaged 16.9 points, 5.5 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Tigers last season. According to Stathead, the two-time All-Ivy League selection was one of two players to average at least 15 points, five assists and five rebounds per game in 2024-25 (Appalachian State guard Myles State).

Each should play a pivotal role next season as Florida replaces its guard rotation. The Gators lost their top four guards this offseason, including seniors Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard to the NBA Draft and junior Denzel Aberdeen to the transfer portal. 

With Fland, Florida is well-equipped to avoid a hangover. The defending national champs became more explosive on Tuesday, which should make the Gators harder to knock off their perch.