Aussie football player Alex Condon bringing physicality to the court

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — He may only be a true freshman, but Alex Condon is a grown man — and not just because he can drink in Australia.

Condon is still growing — both as a basketball player and with his height — but Florida’s nearly 7-foot center has made an impact this season.

Condon is currently averaging more minutes (20.1) and points (8.4) per game off the bench than starting center Micah Handlogten (18.6/6.6).

Condon also ranks No. 7 in the SEC with 117 rebounds (7.3 per game) and finished with 15 and 16 boards in his two double doubles.

“I think it’s a big part of my identity this year, just being able to do some of the dirty stuff and being able to clean up, especially defense. I think it’s a strength of my game, for sure,” Condon said.

“It’s a mindset thing I brought into my freshman year. I may not be as talented or as skillful as other players in this league, but I’m willing to be as physical and put my all out there.”

Condon is a multi-sport star who played Australian rules football, cricket and water polo growing up. His father, Damien, played professional Australian football and his mother, Leah, represented Australia as a swimmer.

Condon excelled in Australian football but decided to pursue basketball after a six-inch growth spurt from 10th to 11th grade. However, his “footy” background gives him a different edge on the court.

“I’m not afraid,” Condon said. “It’s definitely enjoyable when you see a teammate score on a physical duck-in or just being physical. That’s what I enjoy.”

Condon is tied for No. 8 in the SEC with 20 blocks, including three blocked shots in three of Florida’s last eight games. One of his best plays of the season came against Florida State.

Late in the first half, Condon rejected FSU’s Cam Corhen at the rim and was T’d up by the referees for trash-talking to him after the play.

“Sometimes I have to bite my tongue a little, but I’m just so passionate about this team and about this game,” said Condon, who wears No. 21 because his favorite rapper is 21 Savage.

❎#GoGators | 💻https://t.co/VwSn8lcYqo pic.twitter.com/T8kQvfDjjR

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) November 18, 2023

Condon is already being scouted by NBA teams and hopes to have a pro career after his time with the Gators. However, he hasn’t ruled out a return to Aussie football in the future.

“I want to stay here and play basketball for as long as I can,” Condon said. “Maybe one day when I’ve got a big beer belly and stuff.” 

Does Condon prefer Fosters or Four X back home?

“Neither,” he said. “Drinking age is 18 in Australia, so I usually have a Corona.” 

Alex Condon Q&A

On his first interaction with Todd Golden:

Condon: “After my tournament in Vegas. Florida started recruiting me through Jonathan Safir. I had a Zoom with him and the coaches. They joined pretty late in my recruiting process, but once I started talking to them it was pretty easy. I was coming here.”

On the timeline of his UF recruitment:

Condon: “Around Christmas time last year. Early January or so.”

On the appeal of being at Florida:

Condon: “I think the coaching staff is really dedicated to making their players develop as individuals and really trying to mesh us as a team in the second half of the season and SEC play. I think that’s really important.”

On his basketball background:

Condon: “Officially, I started playing at a really high level four or five years ago. I was just like in school basketball, and I grew about six inches grade 10 to 11. I was playing footy (Australian rules football) on the side, too. But after that growth spurt is pretty much a no-brainer to go basketball and see how far I could go with that.” 

On what he’s learned as a freshman:

Condon: “I played a pretty high level of basketball at the Center of Excellence, so like all the concepts weren’t really new. But more adding on in more depth, with the college style and how to apply it into your game.”

On if he follows Josh Giddey or anyone from Australia:

Condon: “We met Dyson [Daniels] in New Orleans. He’s an NBA Academy kid.  I’ve seen Giddey play a few times. I’ve seen his highlights in Australia. He’s a stud.”

On his current height:

Condon: “I would say I’ve grown (in college), just under 7-foot though. Sitting around that 6-11 mark.”

On how much more physical he is since enrolling:

Condon: “I think (UF strength coach) Victor Lopez has done a great job just preparing me. Me and Tommy Haugh came here early in the season. We’re really dedicated to our lifting and made it a priority to put on weight. I think it’s paid off, paid dividends this early half of the season.”

On a possible statement game at No. 6 Tennessee:

Condon: “I think a lot of people are doubting us going into this game. You know, Tennessee is a tough place to play in just like Ole Miss was. We just have to be prepared mentally and not back down from the challenge.”

On Florida’s preparation for road games:

Condon: “In practice we were turning up the volume, like putting in a fake crowd in the background just to get used to running offense with a loud crowd. So that’s what we’ve done with the coaching staff, and I think just mentally at the end of the day it’s just basketball. You’ve got 10 guys on the court. You just have to block it out.”

On playing together with Micah Handlogten: 

Condon: “Every time me and Micah are on the court, I feel we have an edge rebounding-wise. He’s so good at those little tip-ins on the offensive end. I think I bring like an edge running the court so I’m happy for him to play the four sometimes and I run the court. It’s great working with him.”

On the key to being a good offensive rebounder:

Condon: “I think doing your work early, being physical and just like knowing who’s shooting it. Different guys are going to shoot different misses, just like being able to anticipate where the ball’s going to go.”

On if he played guard before his growth spurt:

Condon: “I was playing at such a low level. I was pretty uncoordinated. In the past few years, I’ve really gotten my coordination together and got those guard pieces together, kind of.”

On if his growth spurt threw his coordination off:

Condon: “I think especially with my feet growing fast in such a short time. My feet were like too big for my body. I did a lot of work last year and I think that’s helped a lot with my coordination.”

On keeping in touch with family and friends:

Condon: “I usually prioritize doing it my nighttime, in the morning because my parents are usually up early for work. So, I usually give them a call before work. And my friends and stuff it’s pretty similar. I’m usually up a little bit.”

On being homesick:

Condon: “I think in the summer when there was not a lot of people on campus and it was just, you know, the freshmen. And so, I was a little bit more homesick. But now that we got the whole team here, I was so busy traveling, I don’t really think about that now.”

On seeing parents this month:

Condon: “It was definitely good to see them. Made me feel less homesick for sure. Mom and dad have made it over so far, so it’s been great to see them.”

On how far the team can go:

Condon: “I think the sky’s the limit for this team. I think we’re definitely a late March team. Whether that’s this year or next year, I think it’s just we need to put the pieces together, keep playing as a team. Ole Miss, that wasn’t us. I think we responded great against Arkansas and I think that’s what Golden said. I want to emphasize that.” 

On if he misses the Indian Ocean sunsets:

Condon: “Yeah. That’s like one bit that’s just like it’s different. Those sunsets are crazy. The big skies. It’s awesome.”

On his roommates this year:

Condon: “I room with Kajus [Kublickas], Thomas [Haugh] and Zel [Denzel Aberdeen] this year. I think the boys I’m rooming with are great. I get along with all of them. We’ve been here such a long time together already, so it’s just making those deep relationships and I think those show up on the court because we usually play together on the second team. And, you know, we give the starters a good run for their money usually, so I think that shows that.”

On the cultural differences: 

Condon: “Not a lot. Like I fit in pretty well with these boys. They’re pretty similar to my friends back home, especially Thomas and Zel. Those guys are pretty similar to my friends back home.”

On Australian music and food:

Condon: “Music is a bit different and the food, I’ve already mentioned about the food how it’s so different. But yeah, it’s pretty similar. It just feels a little bit more processed over here. When I get back home, you know, there’s a cleanse and the cleanup. But I’ll be back there in a bit.”