GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Denzel Aberdeen helped Florida win a national championship last April. In his homecoming, he was dubbed a “Gator traitor.”
The Kentucky guard was taunted endlessly in a 92-83 loss to the Gators. It was Aberdeen’s first game in Gainesville since leaving the program and signing with a Southeastern Conference rival.
Florida fans booed him in pregame warmups and introductions. But Florida’s student section, the “Rowdy Reptiles,” was much harsher once the game tipped. They “welcomed” him back with chants of “Gator traitor” every time he touched the ball.
Aberdeen, who spent the previous three years at Florida, handled it well. He responded by scoring a team-high 19 points on 8-of-21 shooting. The Gators forced him to take contested shots — he missed five of six from 3-point range – and didn’t let him do much else.
Aberdeen chipped in four assists, two turnovers, a steal and a rebound.
“Well, Florida fans know Denzel,” Kentucky coach Mark Pope said. “Denzel is the ultimate competitor. I never worry about the lights with him. I never worry about the moment. And I never worry about the distraction because he loves to compete.
“This fanbase knows him. Of course, our fanbase loves him so much. He’s a special player.”
Golden said Aberdeen’s return and the backlash that comes with it are something college basketball should get used to, especially with all the freedom players have to move from place to place.
“It’s a new era,” Golden said. “We dabbed it up. We’re cool.”
Florida had several former players on hand for the sold-out game against Kentucky, including NBA rookies and Walter Clayton and Will Richard.
Clayton, the MVP of last year’s Final Four, and Richard were greeted with standing ovations when they walked to their courtside seats and when they were recognized in the first half. Matt Walsh (2002-05) and Matt Bonner (1999-2003) also made the trip to Gainesville and got warm receptions.
Aberdeen can’t say the same. He dumped Florida for more money and maybe a better opportunity in Lexington. While Florida made a huge deal while handing out championship rings to Clayton, Richard and Alijah Martin in person during the NBA season, the team simply shipped one to Aberdeen.
Golden may have even taken a veiled shot at Aberdeen’s decision by mentioning Kentucky’s “$22 million roster” after the game.
Golden responded last year by signing Arkansas guard Boogie Fland to round out his backcourt. Fland spent much of the game guarding Otega Oweh, who finished with 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting. Aberdeen got slightly better looks — and a lot more attention.
“It was a good matchup,” Florida’s Alex Condon said. “I knew ’Zel was going to be aggressive tonight and try to fuel off the crowd a little bit. Credit to him. He played a solid game and was aggressive. But our guys did a great job of making it tough, making him take tough 2s and running him off the 3-point line.”
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball