Court ruling makes Aberdeen eligible for Florida, for now
A temporary injunction clears the guard to play in 2026–27 while his eligibility dispute with the NCAA continues. Florida is projected to open the season atop the polls.
Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen can play for the Gators in the 2026–27 season after a court granted him a temporary injunction against the NCAA. The ruling allows him to compete for now; it does not settle his eligibility dispute.
Aberdeen transferred from Kentucky back to Florida seeking a fifth year of eligibility. He appeared in 39 games for the Gators in 2024–25, averaging 7.7 points, then started 35 games for Kentucky in 2025–26 and averaged 13.5 points.
His case is among dozens of challenges over players seeking an additional year of eligibility. The NCAA introduced an age-based eligibility model earlier this summer, and the source reports that some players have won temporary eligibility through court action while other rulings have been appealed.
CBS Sports reports Florida is projected to be the preseason No. 1, ahead of Duke and Illinois. The AP Top 25 poll is due next month, so that position is not yet confirmed.
Aberdeen’s return adds to a Florida roster that includes Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu. The source says his availability could also allow Urban Klavzar, who averaged 9.6 points last season, to remain in a reserve role.
