When Florida cut down the nets last season, the final points of their national championship run came from junior guard Denzel Aberdeen. Fast forward to this Saturday, and Aberdeen will be back in Gainesville - only this time, he’s wearing Kentucky blue.
The Wildcats and Gators are set to clash in a high-stakes SEC showdown on ABC, and Aberdeen’s return to his old stomping grounds adds a compelling layer to an already intriguing matchup.
Florida head coach Todd Golden had nothing but praise for his former player when asked about Aberdeen on Friday.
“Denzel is a great kid and was never an issue for us,” Golden said. “I’m grateful for what he did while he was here.”
Aberdeen has stepped into a major role for Kentucky after starting point guard Jaland Lowe was sidelined for the season with a shoulder injury. Since taking over, Aberdeen has been more than just a fill-in - he’s been a catalyst. Averaging 12.3 points per game and shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc, he’s helped turn the tide for a Kentucky team that stumbled out of the gate in conference play.
After starting SEC action 0-2, the Wildcats have rattled off wins in eight of their last nine games. During that stretch, Aberdeen has elevated his game, averaging 14.3 points per contest and delivering a signature 22-point performance in a road win at Tennessee.
“D.A. is pretty steady right now,” Kentucky head coach Mark Pope said. “His play over the last month has been phenomenal.
He’s had huge number games. He went on a four- or five-game tear where his numbers were just outrageous.”
But it’s not just the scoring. Aberdeen’s evolution as a true floor general has been evident.
His assist numbers are climbing, his turnovers are trending down, and he’s clearly more in command of the offense. It’s the kind of growth that coaches love to see - a player moving from simply executing plays to truly owning the game.
“You can see him making the transition from doing his job to playing the game,” Pope said. “We’ve seen that happen in real time over the last month. In practice, too, you see him feeling so comfortable with what we’re doing.”
Saturday marks Aberdeen’s first game back at Florida since transferring to Kentucky, and while the narrative writes itself, Golden downplayed any potential distractions.
“I’m happy he’s doing really well,” Golden said. “Obviously, he’s helped their team quite a bit to get right these last couple months and put them in a position where they’re competing.
But for us, it’s another game. I don’t anticipate [his return] being an issue or distraction for us.”
Florida comes in hot. The Gators are 18-6 overall, 9-2 in the SEC, and riding a four-game win streak.
Their dominance inside has been a major factor, and they’ve taken care of business at home, winning 10 of 11 in Gainesville. That sets the stage for a tough test for Kentucky - and a full-circle moment for Aberdeen.
“He’s just a solid dude. He’s a competitor, competitor, competitor,” Pope said.
“The brighter the lights, the more excited he gets, and he functions well there. I expect him, as the season progresses, to just get better.”
Aberdeen’s journey hasn’t been a straight line. He was a three-star recruit out of Orlando’s Dr.
Phillips High School, where he led his team to a 2021 Class 7A state title. He stayed committed to Florida even after a coaching change brought Todd Golden to Gainesville.
His first two seasons were quiet - just 2.8 points per game across 44 appearances - but he had a breakout moment in the SEC Tournament as a sophomore, dropping 20 points in a win over Texas A&M.
As a junior, he embraced a backup role, continued to develop, and ultimately helped Florida win it all. Then came the move to Kentucky - and with it, the opportunity to lead.
Now, he returns to where it all started, not as a role player, but as the engine of one of the SEC’s hottest teams. And on Saturday, all eyes will be on Denzel Aberdeen as he steps back onto the court in Gainesville - this time as a Wildcat, and very much in control of his story.