Florida basketball is heating up at just the right time, and senior guard Xaivian Lee is leading the charge. With back-to-back wins over Georgia and Kentucky this past week, the Gators not only tightened their grip on the SEC standings but also sent a clear message: this team has firepower, depth, and a guard who's playing the best basketball of his college career.
Lee’s performance was nothing short of electric. Across the two wins, he poured in 40 points and dished out 10 assists, earning him SEC Player of the Week honors.
And it wasn’t just the numbers-it was the timing, the poise, the leadership. Lee didn’t just show up.
He took over.
The week opened in Athens, where the Princeton transfer dropped 18 points on Georgia, adding seven assists, three rebounds, and a handful of steals. It was a complete performance-one that showcased his ability to control the tempo, find teammates, and create his own shot when needed.
His 3-for-9 mark from beyond the arc may not jump off the page, but it was his most productive night from deep since mid-January. For a team that’s struggled from three-point range all year, that’s a welcome sign.
Then came Saturday’s showdown with Kentucky-one of the Gators’ biggest tests of the season and a key matchup in the SEC title race. Lee wasted no time setting the tone, drilling a three on Florida’s opening possession.
From there, he stayed locked in, finishing with a season-high 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just win games-it builds confidence for the stretch run.
Lee now becomes the fourth Gator to earn SEC Player of the Week honors this season, joining Thomas Haugh, Reuben Chinyelu, and Alex Condon. That’s a first for any Florida team-a testament to the balance and versatility this roster brings to the floor.
This isn’t a one-man show. It’s a team with multiple guys capable of stepping up and delivering when it matters most.
That depth is going to be crucial down the stretch, especially for a team still trying to find its rhythm from long range. Florida currently sits near the bottom of the national rankings in three-point percentage-353rd, to be exact. But if Lee’s recent surge is a sign of things to come, the Gators might be turning a corner in that department.
At 19-6 overall and 10-2 in conference play, Florida is firmly in the SEC title hunt. Next up: a home matchup against South Carolina on Tuesday.
The Gators handled the Gamecocks with ease earlier this season, cruising to a 95-48 win on the road. But with every game now carrying postseason implications, there’s no room for letdowns.
Florida’s got momentum, a rising star in the backcourt, and a roster that’s proving it can win in different ways. If Xaivian Lee keeps playing like this, the Gators could be a serious problem come March.