Florida basketball has enjoyed unprecedented success over the past 25 years, with five Final Four trips and three national titles.
That made picking the best 25 basketball players for the Florida Gators over the last 25 years a tricky task. Many who donned UF jerseys during that time produced so many memorable moments.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSelections were made based on individual postseason honors (All-SEC, All-America), how the player impacted winning and the eye test, which is subjective and open to scrutiny and debate.
For eligibility, players had to have played in at least one game during the 2000 season through the 2025 season. In addition, players had to have finished their career at Florida (which rules out players who transferred away such as Andrew Nembhard and Keyontae Johnson) and cannot still be active (which rules out current UF standouts Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon).
Clockwise from top left: Walter Clayton Jr., Al Horford, Mike Miller, Joakim Noah, Bradley Beal and Chandler Parsons.Here's our list of UF's top 25 players in the past 25 years:
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement1. Florida basketball F Al Horford
The 6-foot-8 Horford's combination of physicality, athleticism and skill at power forward keyed UF's run to back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. In 2005, Horford set a freshman record for rebounding by grabbing 18 boards in an SEC game against Alabama, signaling his arrival in conference play. Horford finished his Florida career with 1,123 points while ranking third all-time in rebounding (360) and fourth all-time in blocked shots (189). After earning third-team All-American honors in 2007, Horford was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2007 NBA Draft and has enjoyed a successful 18-year NBA career, winning an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2024.
2. Florida basketball G Walter Clayton Jr.
The 6-foot-3 Clayton became Florida's first first-team All-American in school history in 2025 and was the driving force behind UF's run to its third national title in school history. A two-year transfer from Iona, Clayton scored 1,346 points over two seasons at UF, averaging 17.6 points as a junior in 2023-24 and 18.1 points as a senior in 2024-25. Clayton became the first college player since Larry Bird in 1979 to score 30 or more points in an Elite Eight and Final Four game when he scored 30 points in UF's 84-79 win over Texas Tech in the Elite Eight and 34 points in UF's 79-73 win over Auburn in the Final Four. Clayton's 17.9 points per game over two seasons ranks seventh on UF's all-time list, while his free-throw percentage (87.6%) ranks second. Clayton was the Most Outstanding Player in the 2025 Final Four and was selected 19th overall in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft and traded to the Utah Jazz.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement3. Florida basketball F Mike Miller
The 6-foot-8 Miller was the first blue-chip recruit to sign with Florida under Billy Donovan and delivered in two seasons, helping lead the Gators to a Sweet 16 appearance in 1999 and the school's second Final Four trip in school history in 2000. Over two seasons at UF, Miller averaged 13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals. Miller earned freshman and Wooden All-American honors in two seasons at UF and in the 2000 NCAA Tournament sank a game-winning floater in the closing seconds that helped UF avoid an upset in a 69-68 win over Butler in the Round of 64. After the 2000 NCAA Finals, Miller declared for the NBA draft, where he was taken fifth overall in the first round by the Orlando Magic. Miller went on to a successful, 17-year NBA career, winning NBA titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013.
4. Florida basketball C Joakim Noah
The 6-foot-11 Noah was the emotional leader of Florida's back-to-back national title teams in 2006 and 2007, earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors in 2006 after recording 16 points, 9 rebounds and an NCAA-championship game record 6 blocks in UF's 73-57 win over UCLA. In three years at Florida (2004-07), Noah scored 1,133 career points, grabbed 687 points and blocked 186 shots, which ranks fifth on UF's all-time list. After earning second-team All-American honors in 2007, Noah declared for the NBA Draft, where he was drafted ninth overall by the Chicago Bulls. Noah went on to a successful 13-year career, earning NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2014.
Mar 9, 2007; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators forward Joakim Noah (13) reacts after a play against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half of a quarterfinal round SEC Tournament game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2007 Jason Parkhurst5. Florida basketball F Corey Brewer
The 6-foot-9 Brewer was a standout two-way combo forward on Florida's back-to-back national title teams in 2006 and 2007. A three-year starter, Brewer recorded UF's first triple-double in school history with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists against Jacksonville. Brewer scored 1,225 points, grabbed 469 career rebounds, dished 300 assists and recorded 176 steals in three seasons at Florida. He earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors in the second of UF's back-to-back national championships in 2007. After being selected seventh overall in the first round of the 2007 NBA career by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brewer went on to a successful 13-year NBA career, winning an NBA title ring with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. Brewer is currently an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement6. Florida basketball F Udonis Haslem
The 6-foot-7 Haslem was a standout forward from Miami and team leader on UF's 2000 Final Four team that reached the national title game before falling to Michigan State. Haslem, who played at UF from 1998-2002, ranks fifth on UF's all-time list in scoring (1,781 points) and 10th on UF's all-time list in blocks (120). He earned All-SEC third team honors as a freshman and sophomore and All-SEC first team honors as a junior and senior. Also, in 2021, Haslem earned third-team, AP All-American honors. After UF, Haslem went on to a successful 20-year NBA career with the Miami Heat (2003-23) and is currently the Heat's vice president of player development.
7. Florida basketball F Chandler Parsons
The 6-foot-9 Parsons was UF's first SEC Player of the Year in 2011 and among the most versatile players in program history, capable of playing point guard, on the wing or inside. Parsons scored 1,452 points, grabbed 859 rebounds and dished 339 assists from 2007-11. An honorable mention All-American in 2011, Parsons is the only player in UF history to sink two game-winning buzzer-beaters, including a 75-footer against North Carolina State in 2010 and a 3-pointer against South Carolina later that season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement8. Florida basketball G Scottie Wilbekin
Wilbekin was the second Florida player to earn SEC Player of the Year honors in 2014, helping lead UF to a perfect conference record and its fifth Final Four appearance in school history. A two-way standout point guard, Wilbekin ranks ninth on UF's all-time list in assists (419) and 10th in steals (167). In addition to being named SEC POY, Wilbekin was a third-team All-American in 2014 and stood out in the 2014 NCAA Tournament, earning NCAA South Region MVP honors after scoring 23 points in UF's Elite Eight win over Dayton.
9. Florida basketball F Matt Bonner
A stretch power forward, the 6-foot-9 Bonner ranks 12th on UF's all-time scoring list with 1,570 points. Bonner sank 165 3-pointers over four seasons (1999-2003) and shot 39.5% from beyond the arc during his UF career. He earned All-SEC honors three times, including first-team All-SEC honors in 2003. After UF, Bonner was picked in the second round of the NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls in 2003 and went on to a successful 12-year NBA career (2004-16) with the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement10. Florida basketball G Taurean Green
Green was the starting point guard and stabilizing leader on Florida's back-to-back national title teams in 2006 and 2007. He finished his three-year UF career (2004-07) with 1,174 points and 397 assists. Green's 184 assists as a sophomore are the fourth-highest single-season total in school history and he ranks fourth on UF's all-time list in free-throw percentage (85.6%). After a successful pro career overseas, Green has returned to UF as an assistant coach.
11. Florida basketball G Bradley Beal
Beal's lone season with Florida in 2012 was impactful, as the 6-foot-4 guard from St. Louis helped lead the Gators to the second of three straight Elite Eight appearances as a first-team, All-SEC standout. He was one of the top rebounding guards in Florida basketball history, averaging 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds while recording six double-doubles, including a 14-point, 11-rebound effort over Virginia in the NCAA Tournament. Beal also scored 21 points in UF's Sweet 16 win over Marquette before UF lost to Louisville in the Elite Eight. After declaring for the NBA Draft after his freshman year, Beal was selected third overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2012 NBA Draft and has enjoyed a successful, 13-year NBA career.
Mar 16, 2012; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators guard Bradley Beal (23) brings the ball up court against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half in the second round of the 2012 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Century Link Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports12. Florida basketball G Lee Humphrey
The 6-foot-2 Humphrey was the clutch shooter on Florida's back-to-back national title teams in 2006 and 2007. His 288 career 3-pointers rank second on UF's all-time list and his 47 career 3-pointers in the NCAA Tournament is a record that still stands. A highly accurate shooter, Humphrey shot 43.1% from 3-point range for his career while scoring 1,080 points over four seasons (2003-07). He also was an underrated perimeter defender, with 71 career steals.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement13. Florida basketball C Patric Young
Young was the emotional leader on a Florida team that made three straight trips to the Elite Eight from 2010-13 before breaking through for its fifth Final Four appearance in school history in 2014. A McDonald's All-American, the 6-foot-10 Young earned SEC defensive player of the year honors and All-SEC second-team honors in 2014. Young scored 1,307 career points at UF as an effective low-post scorer, while ranking tied for seventh in program history in blocked shots with 160.
Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Florida Gators center Patric Young (4) dunks against the Connecticut Huskies during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports14. Florida basketball F David Lee
A two-time All-SEC standout forward/center (2004, 2005), the 6-foot-9 Lee scored 1,436 points and grabbed 869 career rebounds at Florida, which ranks tied for sixth on UF's all-time rebound list. Lee posted 22 career double-doubles for UF and shot 58.1% from the floor for his career before being picked in the first round (30th overall) by the New York Knicks in the 2005 NBA Draft.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement15. Florida basketball G Anthony Roberson
The 6-foot-2 Roberson was a standout scoring point guard for UF from 2002-05 who averaged 17.9 points as a sophomore and 17.5 points as a junior, earning first-team All-SEC honors and AP honorable mention All-America honors both seasons (2004, 2005). Roberson's 267 career 3-pointers rank fifth on UF's all-time list.
16. Florida basketball G Chris Chiozza
The 5-foot-11 Chiozza had a knack for big plays and big shots throughout his UF career, none bigger than the running, game-winning 3-pointer off one leg at the buzzer in overtime against Wisconsin at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2017, sending UF to its fifth Elite Eight trip in seven years. Chiozza starred at UF from 2014-18, earning first team, All-SEC honors as a senior and setting a program record for assists (571) that still stands. Chiozza's 191 career steals also ranks fourth on UF's all-time list.
17. Florida basketball G Tre Mann
The 6-foot-5 Mann helped lead Florida to an NCAA Tournament Round of 32 trip in 2021 with a dominant sophomore season, averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals to earn All-SEC first team honors. Over two seasons at UF (2019-21), Mann scored 540 points, dished 103 career assists and had 50 career steals before being taken in the first round (18th overall) by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021 NBA draft.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement18. Florida basketball G Alijah Martin
As a transfer from Florida Atlantic, Martin was a two-way standout guard on UF's 2025 national title team, making an impact as both as scorer and perimeter defender. The 6-foot-2 Martin averaged 14.4 points per game and sank the two clutch free throws that put Florida ahead in the final minute in its eventual 65-63 national title game win over Houston. Defensively, Martin recorded 56 steals and seven blocked shots for UF.
19. Florida basketball G Brett Nelson
Nelson was a standout backcourt player on UF's Final Four team in 2000. From 1999-2003, Nelson scored 1,417 points while earning All-SEC honors as a sophomore and junior and honorable mention All-America honors as a sophomore. He still ranks fourth on UF's all-time 3-point list and third on UF's all-time steals list (198).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement20. Florida basketball G Kenny Boynton
The 6-foot-2 Boyton, a McDonald's All-American from Pompano Beach, joined Ronnie Williams and Vernon Maxwell as one of just three Florida players to score 2,000 or more career points, as the combo guard tallied 2,033 points from 2009-2013. Boynton also holds the program record for 3-pointers made (333) and was a dependable scorer on Florida teams that made three straight Elite Eights from 2011-13. He earned first-team, All-SEC honors in 2012 and second-team All-SEC honors in 2010 and 2013.
21. Florida basketball G Erving Walker
A three-year starter at point guard, the 5-foot-8 Walker was a sparkplug who helped lead UF to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including Elite Eight trips in 2011 and 2012. A Brooklyn, N.Y., native, Walker finished his career raking second all-time in assists (547) and third in 3-pointers made (285). Walker, who earned second-team, All-SEC honors in 2010, 2011 and 2012, ranks sixth on UF's all-time scoring list with 1,777 points.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement22. Florida basketball G Will Richard
A three-year starter after transferring from Belmont, the 6-foot-4 Richard was another steady two-way guard who helped lead UF to its third national title in school history in 2025. Richard scored 1,276 points over three seasons and sank 201 3-pointers for UF, and his 129 steals rank the best among all UF incoming transfers. Richard earned both All-SEC Tournament team honors and All Final-Four team honors in 2025, as his 18 points helped lead UF to a 65-63 win over Houston in the national title game.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) and forward Alex Condon (21) before a semifinal of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images23. Florida basketball G Nick Calathes
One of the best pure passers in Florida history, the 6-foot-6 Calathes still holds the UF single-season record for assists (231) and his 452 career assists over two seasons ranks sixth on UF's all-time list. Calathes was also a scoring combo guard who averaged 16.3 points over two seasons from 2007-09 before pursuing a pro basketball career overseas in Greece.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement24. Florida basketball F Dorian Finney-Smith
A transfer from Virginia Tech, Finney-Smith earned SEC Sixth Man of the Year honors on UF's 2014 Final Four team, averaging 8.7 points and 6.7 rebounds. He went on to score 1,220 points over three seasons and displayed versatility and defensive prowess at a 6-foot-8 combo forward, finishing his UF career with 721 rebounds, 195 assists and 81 steals. Finney-Smith has gone on to a successful nine-year NBA career and is currently a forward with the Houston Rockets.
25. Florida basketball G Matt Walsh
A flashy, big-shot making 6-foot-6 guard from Holland, Pa., Walsh scored 1,301 points over three seasons at Florida, earning second-team All-SEC honors in 2004 and 2005. Walsh sank 192 career 3-pointers and dished 272 career assists for the Gators while shooting 39.8% from 3-point range in his career. He rose to the occasion in big moments for the Gators, earning SEC Tournament MVP honors in 2005 by scoring 26 points against Kentucky, leading UF to its first SEC Tournament title in school history.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Ranking top 25 Florida basketball players over the last 25 years
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