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WATCH: Florida's senior trio shares their message to transfers considering UF

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•04/16/25•

ZachAbolverdi

Florida-Gators-Will-Richard-Walter-Clayton-Alijah-Martin
Florida;s senior trio of Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin. (Photo by @RKingGator on X)

After assembling the best backcourt in America, the Florida Gators must now reload after losing their senior trio. Starting guards Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin helped lead UF to a school-record 36 wins, its first national championship since 2007 and first SEC Tournament title since 2014.

Following the Gators’ comeback victory over Houston to win the natty, I asked Clayton, Richard and Martin — all of whom joined the program via the portal — what they would tell transfers considering Florida this offseason. Clayton and Richard made their recruiting pitches to players, while Martin shared a different message.

“Golden that dude, man. Golden that dude,” Clayton said. “You want somebody that’s gonna come in and bring you energy every day, give you confidence, give you everything you need to succeed, it’s here at the University of Florida. I’m happy we got Florida, I ain’t gonna say new Florida, but Florida’s back to where it belongs.”

Clayton was named SEC Tournament MVP and the Final Four’s Most Outstanding player and made the Final Four and SEC All-Tournament team along with Richard. After Clayton’s career-high 34 points in the Final Four against Auburn, Richard led the Gators with a team-high 18 points in the national title game vs. Houston.

“I mean, we won a natty. I feel like that speaks for itself. If you want to win a natty, come to Florida,” Richard said of his message to transfers while holding the championship trophy in the locker room.

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The addition of Martin last offseason, along with the jump made by both Clayton and Richard as seniors, took Florida’s backcourt to another level. Martin was the team’s best defender and made several clutch plays on offense, including two defining dunks against Auburn that gave the Gators momentum in the Final Four.

After UF won it all, Martin cautioned potential transfers of how challenging it will be to play for the defending national champs in the SEC, but he said that Golden & Co. have what it takes to lead another successful season.

“Don’t put this jersey on if you ain’t ready for what comes with it,” Martin said. “It’s gonna be an unbelievable target on your back, but these guys and Coach got everything in his power to allow us to get through the challenge that’s going to be next year. But don’t put on that jersey if you ain’t ready for what comes with it.”

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