Florida Gators Poised to Launch Fland as Starting Point Guard, with Lee in a Supportive Role - ESPN
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Myron Medcalf | Oct 16, 2025, 06:34 AM
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Myron Medcalf is a dedicated reporter for ESPN.com, specializing in college basketball. He has been part of the ESPN family since 2011.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Picture this: a team fresh off clinching the ultimate prize in college basketball, gearing up to chase history again. That's the exhilarating reality for the Florida Gators, the defending National Champions, as they prepare to kick off the 2025-26 season. But here's where it gets intriguing—their strategy for the point guard position could redefine how they build on that success. Coach Todd Golden revealed on Wednesday during SEC Media Day that the Gators will hand the starting reins at point guard to Boogie Fland, a highly touted former five-star recruit, while integrating Xaivian Lee, a versatile transfer from Princeton, into a shared role. This setup aims to propel Florida toward a rare back-to-back national championship, a feat the program has accomplished just once before.
For those new to the game, the point guard is often the team's floor general—the player who orchestrates the offense, directs plays, and sets the tempo. In college basketball, where team chemistry and adaptability are key, Golden's approach with Fland and Lee showcases a flexible blueprint that could keep opponents guessing. And this is the part most people miss: by blending two capable facilitators, Florida isn't just filling a spot; they're creating a dynamic that leverages each player's strengths to maintain offensive flow, even as they throw passes to their towering big men who act as central hubs on the court.
Golden emphasized that while Fland will anchor the starting lineup, Lee won't sit on the sidelines. He'll step in as a secondary playmaker and assume point guard duties whenever Fland needs a breather, ensuring continuity for a squad that's already earning preseason buzz, sitting at No. 3 in the Associated Press top-25 poll. "Fland will be our primary starter at point guard, but Xaivian will serve as a backup conductor and take over when Fland's out," Golden explained. "I'm confident both will shine this year. They've gelled beautifully in recent practices, adapting to our style that emphasizes feeding the bigs and letting them dictate the action from the paint."
Last season, Golden leaned heavily on NBA draftees like Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, and Alijah Martin to secure the title. Now, with Fland boasting 5.1 assists per game from his Arkansas days and Lee delivering 5.5 assists per game at Princeton, the Gators have potent ballhandlers ready to handle the rock for a championship-caliber team. But here's where it gets controversial: the transfer portal has reshaped college basketball, allowing stars like Fland and Lee to switch schools for better opportunities. Is this the future of the sport, where loyalty takes a backseat to winning? Some fans argue it builds superteams, while others see it as a fair way for players to chase dreams—where do you stand?
Teammates echo Golden's optimism, noting that practice sessions have seamlessly featured both as point guards without disrupting the offense. "Each of them handles the point role like a pro," shared Florida standout Alex Condon. "Whether I'm inbounding, I can toss the ball to either, and they zip it up the court effortlessly. They're elite at setting up teammates, so the flow stays smooth no matter who's directing traffic."
Fland's journey adds a layer of resilience to the story. As a freshman at Arkansas, he dazzled with 15.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in his first 18 games before a hand injury during a clash with Florida in mid-January sidelined him for the rest of the regular season and the SEC tournament. He bravely returned as a reserve in the NCAA tournament, logging about 17.7 minutes per game against Kansas State, St. John's, and Texas Tech before the Razorbacks bowed out. Initially eyeing a jump to the NBA, Fland pulled back from the draft in mid-May and officially joined Florida a week later—a decision that fueled speculation about whether transfers prioritize pedigree over team fit.
Lee, meanwhile, brought his all-Ivy League pedigree to Princeton, where he averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season, sinking over 36% of his 3-pointers. He made his commitment to the Gators official in mid-April, highlighting how the portal empowers players to seek programs aligned with their goals. For beginners, think of these transfers like realigning puzzle pieces: each program gains fresh talent, but it can stir debates about balance in the sport.
As Florida aims for that elusive back-to-back crown, this dual-point-guard strategy might just be the edge they need. But is blending transfers the key to sustained success, or does it risk diluting team identity? What do you think—will Fland and Lee elevate the Gators to new heights, or is there a better way to build a dynasty? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let's discuss!
