Aberdeen to rejoin Florida if waiver is granted

Denzel Aberdeen plans to re-enroll at the University of Florida and is seeking an NCAA waiver that could restore another year of eligibility.

Denzel Aberdeen is planning to re-enroll at the University of Florida and has visited the program. He announced the decision on Instagram and said he wants to finish his undergraduate degree and his basketball career where it began. Aberdeen spent three years at Florida and was part of the Gators' 2025 national championship team before transferring to Kentucky for what was expected to be his final season. He is seeking an NCAA waiver to have his freshman year counted as a redshirt season to regain an additional year of eligibility. What is known: - Aberdeen visited the Gators and announced plans to re-enroll to finish his degree. - He played 12 games as a freshman (2022-23), scoring 19 points in 41 minutes, and is seeking a waiver to have that season treated as a redshirt. - Aberdeen played three years at Florida, helped win the 2025 national championship, then started 35 games for Kentucky last season, averaging 13.5 points, 3.4 assists and 2.5 rebounds. - A roster spot opened with Xaivian Lee's departure; Florida expects Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu to return, while Thomas Haugh's future is undecided. - The NCAA is preparing to discuss eligibility changes, including a proposal for a five-year participation window tied to age or high school graduation; the Division I Cabinet will review details next week but will not vote on implementation then. Summary: Aberdeen's return to Florida would depend on NCAA approval of his waiver request. If the waiver is granted, he would regain another year of eligibility and could rejoin Florida's roster. The broader NCAA eligibility proposal is also under review, with Division I Cabinet discussion scheduled next week and no implementation vote planned at that meeting.