Florida Gators to be well represented to start NBA season

When the NBA season tips off on Tuesday night, Florida Gators basketball will be well represented.

With three players selected in this year’s draft, the Gators now have nine former players on NBA opening-day rosters for the 2025-26 season.

Walter Clayton Jr. (Utah Jazz), Alijah Martin (Toronto Raptors, two-way) and Will Richard (Golden State Warriors) joined the league after helping Florida capture last season’s national championship. Several former Gators veterans also changed teams this offseason, including Bradley Beal (Los Angeles Clippers), Dorian Finney-Smith (Houston Rockets) and Al Horford (Golden State Warriors).

Andrew Nembhard remains with the defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers, while Tre Mann is set to begin his fifth NBA season with the Charlotte Hornets. Colin Castleton rounds out the group after signing a two-way deal with the Orlando Magic.

Familiar faces across the NBA

In addition to the nine active players, Florida has a strong presence on NBA benches and in front offices. Several former players and staffers are now part of coaching and personnel departments around the league, including Billy Donovan (Chicago Bulls head coach), Corey Brewer (New Orleans Pelicans assistant), and RC Buford (San Antonio Spurs CEO).

The season begins Tuesday with Finney-Smith and the Rockets facing Oklahoma City, followed by Horford and Richard’s Warriors against the Lakers in the late game.

Gators on 2025-26 NBA Opening Day rosters

Bradley Beal – Los Angeles Clippers
Colin Castleton – Orlando Magic (two-way)
Walter Clayton Jr. – Utah Jazz
Dorian Finney-Smith – Houston Rockets
Al Horford – Golden State Warriors
Tre Mann – Charlotte Hornets
Alijah Martin – Toronto Raptors (two-way)
Andrew Nembhard – Indiana Pacers
Will Richard – Golden State Warriors

Former Gators in NBA staff roles (Florida role in parentheses)

Bennett Andersen – San Antonio Spurs, Operations Assistant (player/manager)
Corey Brewer – New Orleans Pelicans, Assistant Coach (player)
RC Buford – San Antonio Spurs, CEO (assistant coach)
Mark Daigneault – Oklahoma City Thunder, Head Coach (assistant to the head coach)
Billy Donovan – Chicago Bulls, Head Coach (head coach)
Billy Donovan III – Windy City Bulls, Head Coach (player)
Andrew Ford – Brooklyn Nets, Scouting Coordinator (manager)
Adam Glessner – San Antonio Spurs, Associate VP of Player Personnel (manager)
Jack May – Miami Heat, Video Room Intern (player)
Kenny McCraney – Miami Heat, Senior Director of Player Programs (assistant coach)
Schuyler Rimmer – Phoenix Suns, Assistant Coach (player)
Billy Schmidt – Chicago Bulls, Assistant Coach (assistant to the head coach)
Daniel Starkman – Atlanta Hawks, VP of Player Personnel (manager)
DeVon Walker – Oklahoma City Thunder, Director of Advance Scouting and Player Analyst (player)
Mike Weinar – Indiana Pacers, Assistant Coach (manager)
Ryan Winters – Brooklyn Nets, Pro Scout (manager)

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