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UF makes final 8 for top-30 hoops recruit Cole Cloer

On3 imageby: Keith Niebuhr07/03/25On3Keith
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Cole Cloer / Photo by On3's Jamie Shaw

The Florida Gators have made the final eight for one of the top basketball players in the 2026 class. Cole Cloer, a 4-star small forward from Greensboro (N.C.) Caldwell Academy, is down to Florida, Alabama Indiana, Louisville, NC State, North Carolina, UConn and Virginia, per Joe Tipton of Rivals. (FULL UPDATE FROM TIPTON HERE)

Cloer, listed at 6-foot-7, is the country’s No. 26 overall prospect, No. 11 small forward and No. 1 recruit in North Carolina according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

Of the Gators, Cloer told Tipton this: “I mean, they’re the defending national champions. They were the best team in the country. I love Coach (Todd) Golden. He is a great coach, a young coach, a player’s coach. It’s also an NBA play style; they put out pros. I feel like coach trusts his guys, which says a lot. Also, with the way they respect him.”

Cloer has official visits scheduled with Florida (Sept. 6) and Alabama (Oct. 18) and plans to schedule additional trips.

Earlier this year, Cloer went in depth with Corey Bender of Gators Online about the Gators after receiving his UF offer.

“I’ve been in contact with Florida for close to six months now,” Cloer said. “My agent has been really involved and he has good relationships with Florida. Coach (Todd) Golden called yesterday afternoon and we had a quick 15-20-minute conversation and then he offered. First thing that comes to mind is winning. They just won the national championship, so that’s hard to look past,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a winning culture. I think they play a very modern and fun style of basketball. They have a lot of NBA players too. They have (Thomas) Haugh, Alex Condon, Walter (Clayton), who will go this year, and Alijah Martin I’m sure will go. I enjoy the style of play and winning.”

Scouting Report

Cole Cloer stands in the 6-7 range, a scorer. Cloer is a solid straight line athlete with solid length, and a developing wing handle. He is at his best when his game is consolidated, getting to his spots within one or two dribbles. His balance is inconsistent when shooting from three which leads to inconsistent results. Has good length. Nice shooting release that is consistent. Not the best athlete laterally and can play upright at times. Has some explosion that will get him above the rim, especially on set lob plays. Very nice pull up jump shot off a dribble or two. Does not put much pressure on the rim in the half-court, which limits free throw opportunities at times, but he is capable of straight-line driving sloppy closeouts. His brother played football at Cornell. – On3’s Jamie Shaw

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