BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Florida Gators men's basketball coach Todd Golden said the "chaos" created this offseason by the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule is self-inflicted.
Citing the plight of fifth-year guard Denzel Aberdeen, who was recently granted a temporary injunction in a Florida court to return to Gainesville and play this season, Golden said the NCAA is responsible for the drama that has included dozens of lawsuits filed by athletes in the Class of 2022 who were not included when the NCAA announced five years of eligibility for all players in June.
"I truly just believe that the Class of '22 athletes deserve to play, especially at this point with everybody starting school," he said. "Everybody is in the middle of their semesters. There are not guys or girls just hanging out there waiting to see if [the Colorado federal case] wins to jump back and reenroll and play. We're long past that conversation that was taking place in May and June. And so at this point, the NCAA is trying to argue that they're trying to prevent chaos, but they're really causing it."
Aberdeen was on the floor when the buzzer sounded in Florida's win over Houston in the 2025 national championship game. He then transferred to Kentucky last season and averaged 13.5 PPG and 3.4 APG, before he returned with a plan to play for the Gators in 2026-27, assuming his legal standing is upheld. Aberdeen's initial plan was to apply for a waiver from the NCAA after he played just 41 total minutes his freshman season. Instead, he chose the legal route, where he is currently cleared to compete for a team that's seeking its second national title in three years.
Golden also knows that may not last as the NCAA has vowed to fight every state and federal ruling that has favored the Class of 2022 athletes seeking an additional year.
"He's eligible right now. He won his temporary injunction. The NCAA is trying to keep him from playing just like any other person in that class, which is a conversation for a different day. But we remain very confident," said Golden, who added that there are "points in this discussion that don't make a lot of sense to us.
"I think Denzel, I think he has the best facts of anybody in America in regards to these five-for-five situations. He has a great legal team that put an incredible argument forward. And so we're planning on having him and we feel good about it."
Thomas Haugh, a projected first-round pick in the 2027 NBA draft and a potential All-American, has been happy to have Aberdeen back after their national title run, he said. He has also been supportive of Aberdeen's legal plight and said he's hopeful he'll get another shot to play with him this season.
"I miss playing with him so much," Haugh said. "If you just come watch our practices and see just how much we click together with him as our other guard, too. It's incredible. I'm not too worried about it. I think Coach Golden is really confident about it, so if I hear that, I'm happy, too. I went to the courtroom the other day, too. It was a little scary, but it was cool."