Basketball expectations are high in Gainesville (Fla.) for the first time in a long time. And the undefeated Florida Gators have looked good through the first week-and-a-half of the 2024-25 campaign. The No. 20-ranked Gators (3-0) possibly got even better today with the announcement that Slovenian sensation Urban Klavzar is now eligible, per Zach Abolverdi of On3.
Urban Klavzar has been cleared by the NCAA, per #Gators coach Todd Golden.
Florida Basketball Receives A Gift From The NCAA, Gators Make A Decision On CBB’s Tallest Player Ever, and 4-star Recruit Becomes First 2025 Player To Sign With Program
Klavzar was one of three international players to join UF basketball coach Todd Golden‘s program this summer. While two of the international players—sophomore transfer Reuben Chinyelu and freshman Viktor Mikic—gained immediate eligibility, the NCAA was not cleared until today due to eligibility issues.
Klavzar’s NCAA eligibility issues stem from his professional experience in Spain. Last season, the 20-year-old guard played 33 games for CD Estela Cantabria, a member of Spain’s professional second division. He averaged 8.9 points and 1.5 boards in 18.3 minutes a contest and made 1.2 threes while shooting 47.7/42.7/83.3.
Urban Klavzar’s To Have a Big Role For Gators
Golden said Klavzar would debut for the Gators tomorrow against Florida State in Tallahassee. The Gators, who were ranked in the preseason (No. 21) for the first time since 2019-20. They have won their first three games for the first time since 2021-22, winning each game by at least 15 points.
“He’s a high-level player and he’s a guy that we have counted on being a part of this rotation since the summertime, since he came to Florida.
“We’ll have to work those kinks out. … Obviously we would love to have him three games ago, but we’re satisfied to get him now and to get him eligible.”
Golden typically used nine players in his rotation during his first two seasons in Gainesville. However, only eight players have seen action in all three of the Gators games this year, with seeing at least 16 minutes in a contest.
Six-11 Australian forward Alex Condon leads the way for the Gators at 15.3 points, shooting 82.7% from the field and 50% from the 3-point line. Walter Clayton Jr. (16.7 points, 4.3 assists), Will Richard (16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds), who leads the nation with 4.0 steals a game, and Alijah Martin (12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists) also average double-figures.
Florida has been pretty good offensively this year, although the Gators could improve defensively. The Gators have scored 80 points in all three games and average 88 a game while shooting 50% from the field, including 65.8% on 2-pointers (14th best in the nation). However, they are making just 6.3 treys a game and shooting 26% from deep.
“He just a good player, man,” Golden told Abolverdi about Klavzar’s ability. “Just another really skilled guard. A guy that should help us against pressure, a guy that can shoot the ball, a guy with moxie and toughness. Little undersized, but really competes on both ends.
World’s Tallest Teenager To Redshirt
Hours after being notified that Klavzar was eligible, Golden made another announcement. The Gators’ third-year coach said the 7-foot-9 freshman Olivier Rioux would redshirt this season. Rioux, in the Guinness Book of World Records title as the World’s Tallest Teenager, is the 20th player 7-4 to suit up for a college basketball game. He stands two inches taller than Kenny George and Mike Lanier, who were listed at 7-foot-7.
“I should have made that clear [before],” Golden said. “Honestly, it’s put him in a tough situation. He’s sitting over there at the end of games, and everybody’s yelling at him and trying to get him out there. They just hadn’t understood that that was our potential plan for him.
“So that’s where we’re at at this moment. I’m not saying that’s 100% going to be the plan. We’ll continue to talk to him and see if he changes what he wants to do. But as of right now, that’s the plan that we’re going to have with him as we move forward.”
The 305-pound Montreal native played his high school ball at IMG Academy in Florida, where 247Sports, On3, and Rivals rated him a three-star recruit. He is a preferred walk-on for the Gators.
“Rioux can come into a game to clog the paint, shield opponents away from the rim, and be a serviceable rebounder,” Todd Branham of 247Sports said in his scouting report. “He does have pretty good hands and touch on the offensive side of the ball but will need to continue developing his coordination, especially in quick reaction circumstances.”
Alex Lloyd Becomes First 2025 Recruit To Sign With Program
Consensus 4-star wing Alex Lloyd officially became the first member of the 2025 Florida Gators recruiting class as he signed his NLI today, according to Corey Bender of On3. The 6-3 Fort Lauderdale (FL) native, ranked 58th in the class, committed to the Gators in April. He chose UF over his other finalists: Florida State, Miami, St. John’s, and Dayton.
“We are thrilled to welcome Alex Lloyd and his family into our Gator basketball program,” Golden said. “Alex is one of the best high school guards in the country, and we are really excited to add him to our group. He comes from a great family and has always been passionate about joining our program. There is no doubt he will have great success within our program.”
Here is On3’s scouting report on the Westminster (FL) product:
Alex Lloyd plays with confidence and some pop. In the 6-1/6-2 range, Lloyd can shoot the ball with range and he is more athletic, both vertically and horizontally than expected. Lloyd is a microwave type scorer. Most of his points come from the perimeter and jump shots. He is thin and will need to add weight. He puts little pressure on the rim in the half court. He has the dimensions (long arms, quick feet, etc.) to be a good defender when he locks in. There is upside there. He makes the reads he is supposed to make on ball, will need to continue developing that. He is more of an off-ball guard at this point. His shooting range and confidence help. He plays well in an up-tempo game, picks his spots well and able to attack open space on the floor.
Four-star Montverde Academy (FL) product CJ Ingram is the Gators’ only other 2025 commitment.
