Highlights & rankings on the Florida Gators' three transfer signees
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — On the heels of Florida’s best season in years, head coach Todd Golden and his staff have reloaded the roster once again. The Gators replaced four outgoing departures with four signees in their 2024 class, including three transfers landed in a week’s span.
UF signed forward Sam Alexis (Chattanooga), center Rueben Chinyelu (Washington State) and guard Alijah Martin (FAU), all of whom are ranked in the top 200 of the On3 Industry rankings — with two in the top 65. The class includes four-star guard Isaiah Brown from Orlando.
Those signees will help the Gators replace four players from the 2023-24 roster — guards Zyon Pullin and Riley Kugel and forwards Tyrese Samuel and Aleks Szymczyk — and withstand the uncertainty of when starting center Micah Handlogten will return from injury.
Here are highlights, rankings, stats and quotes on the trio of transfers Florida has added to the roster for the 2024-25 season.
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PF Sam Alexis
On3 Industry rankings: No. 6 power forward, No. 29 overall transfer
2023-24 season stats: 10.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 1.8 assists and 26.4 minutes in 33 games played (32 starts)
Eligibility remaining: Two years
Impact analysis: What Sam Alexis brings to the Florida Gators
Todd Golden quote: “We are thrilled to welcome Sam into our program here at Florida. He’s a great young man who excels both on the court and in the classroom. With Sam being from Apopka, it’s great to add another native Floridian to our group. He’s already proven to be a great finisher, rebounder, and rim protector, and we expect him to continue expanding his game on the offensive end.”
G Alijah Martin
On3 Industry rankings: No. 8 combo guard, No. 63 overall transfer
2023-24 season stats: 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 30.6 minutes in 34 games played (30 starts)
Eligibility remaining: One year
Impact analysis: What Alijah Martin brings to the Florida Gators
Todd Golden quote: “We are elated to add Alijah to our program for the 2024-25 season. Alijah has had great success throughout his career at FAU on both a personal and team level. He played a huge role in getting FAU to the Final Four two years ago and earning another tournament appearance this past season. He’s been incredibly consistent as both a scorer and defender and will add even more explosiveness to our group. He will step onto our campus as a college graduate and will provide experience and leadership for the program.”
C Rueben Chinyelu
On3 Industry rankings: No. 20 center, No. 195 overall transfer
2023-24 season stats: 4.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 61.7 FG%, 13.9 minutes in 35 games played (12 starts)
Eligibility remaining: Three years
Impact analysis: What Rueben Chinyelu brings to Florida Gators
Todd Golden quote: “We are thrilled to welcome Reuben into our basketball family here at Florida. He is an ultra-talented young man who fits into the culture of our program seamlessly. He has fantastic tools on both the offensive and defensive end, and we expect him to make a big jump across the board as he enters his second collegiate season.”
