Australian centre Condon withdraws from Draft

• Perth-born Alex Condon withdraws from 2025 NBA Draft to chase back-to-back championships with Florida
• Condon averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds last season as a key player in Florida's national championship run
• Florida set to be a preseason No. 1 contender with Condon returning alongside key starters and high-profile transfers

Australian big man Alex Condon has decided to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft and return to the University of Florida for his junior season, where he aims to defend the national championship he helped secure last season.

The Perth-born star emerged as a vital piece in Florida's historic championship run, helping the Gators to an impressive 36-4 record that culminated in cutting down the nets in San Antonio after a nail-biting 65-63 victory over Houston.

"It's a really good situation waiting for me there," Condon told ESPN on May 28, 2025.

"A great coach with Todd Golden. Teammates I won a national championship with. I have great chemistry with those boys."

Condon's return significantly bolsters Florida's chances of becoming the first team since 2007 to secure back-to-back NCAA championships.

The 6'10' big man earned third-team All-SEC honours last season after posting solid numbers across the board — 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks in just under 25 minutes per game.

Condon made a game-winning play in the championship game, diving headlong into a loose ball in the dying seconds to deny Houston one last chance.

He finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals against Houston.

"This was a surreal season," Condon said.

"There was so much depth on this team, and we all played unselfishly. A lot of guys stepped up in big moments. We had a great team, and that's the reason we won the championship."

During his pre-draft process, he worked out for eight NBA teams and spent five weeks training in Irvine, California, before making his decision ahead of the NCAA withdrawal deadline.

"I learned a lot about myself," Condon revealed.

"Isolating my game and getting with trainers every day, learning how to be consistent. My jumper has improved immensely with how much work I've put into that. My overall offensive package will be on display more at Florida next season."

The Gators are poised to enter the 2025-26 season as potential preseason No. 1 contenders. Florida retains several key pieces alongside Condon, including starting centre Rueben Chinyelu and sixth man Thomas Haugh, who is expected to move into a starting role.

"It's a hard thing to do, winning back-to-back," Condon admitted.

"We're not taking it lightly. We need to get together as a team. Get back to Gainesville, share in some hardship through hard work in the summer, and get used to playing with each other."