Denzel Aberdeen and Sam Alexis have officially entered the transfer portal, signaling their intent to leave the University of Florida after a triumphant season that culminated in a men's basketball national championship. The announcement came on Friday, April 18, 2025, as both players join Gators guard Kajus Kublickas in seeking new opportunities.
The 6-foot-5 Aberdeen was poised to be a key player in Florida's backcourt next season, especially following the recent commitment of former Princeton guard Xaivian Lee to the Gators. However, with the roster undergoing significant changes, Aberdeen is looking to explore options elsewhere. He averaged 7.7 points last season, starting five of the 39 games he played. Over the last three seasons, he maintained a modest average of five points per game, though he showcased his scoring potential with a career-high 22 points against South Carolina, where he impressively made 5 of 7 three-point attempts. Additionally, he had two other games late in the season where he scored 20 points.
Sam Alexis, a versatile 6-9 forward, also announced his departure. He averaged 4.7 points per game as a reserve in 24 games last season. Just a year prior, he had a breakout season at Chattanooga, where he averaged nearly 11 points as a sophomore. Alexis's move comes at a time when the Gators are losing several key players, including All-American Walter Clayton Jr., along with standout guards Alijah Martin and Will Richard, all of whom are expected to pursue professional careers.
Meanwhile, Michigan State is making headlines by adding a well-traveled player from the transfer portal. Trey Fort, a 24-year-old guard, averaged 14.6 points last season at Samford. Fort's basketball journey began at UT Martin in 2020, and since then, he has played at two junior colleges before making stops at Mississippi State and Samford. His addition comes as the Spartans look to bolster their lineup following significant roster changes.
Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo is facing a challenging offseason. He recently lost Jase Richardson to the NBA draft and has seen three players—Tre Holloman, Xavier Booker, and Gehrig Normand—enter the transfer portal. Additionally, three players, including Jaden Akins, have exhausted their eligibility. The Spartans previously secured forward Kaleb Glenn, who played at Louisville two years ago and Florida Atlantic last season, as they look to rebuild their roster.
In other developments, Auburn guard Chad Baker-Mazara and Memphis star PJ Haggerty have also entered the transfer portal. Baker-Mazara, who turned 25 in January, was a significant contributor for the Tigers, starting 34 games and finishing as the team's second-leading scorer with a career-high average of 12.3 points during Auburn's memorable run to the Final Four. He has one year of eligibility remaining due to a temporary waiver that allows student-athletes who previously competed at a non-NCAA school to have a fourth season at an NCAA school in 2025-26.
However, Auburn is facing a major overhaul as All-American and leading scorer Johni Broome, along with Denver Jones, Dylan Cardwell, and Miles Kelly, have all exhausted their college eligibility. This development effectively strips the Tigers of their entire starting five from last season’s top-seeded overall team in the NCAA tournament.
PJ Haggerty, who was the nation's third-leading scorer last season, averaged an impressive 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 steals while leading Memphis to the NCAA Tournament. Haggerty is now set to embark on his fourth program in four years; he started his collegiate career with TCU, appeared in six games as a freshman, then averaged 21.2 points as a redshirt freshman at Tulsa before moving to Memphis within the American Athletic Conference.
As the transfer portal continues to reshape college basketball rosters across the nation, the moves of players like Aberdeen, Alexis, Baker-Mazara, and Haggerty illustrate the dynamic nature of the sport. With teams looking to adapt and strengthen their lineups, fans can expect an exciting offseason filled with player movement and strategic shifts.
As the situation evolves, the implications of these transfers will be closely monitored, with teams eager to secure talent that can contribute to their success in the upcoming season. For now, the college basketball landscape is poised for significant changes as players seek new opportunities and programs aim to rebuild their rosters.
