Kentucky Secures Florida Transfer Guard Denzel Aberdeen
The Kentucky Wildcats have strengthened their backcourt with the addition of Denzel Aberdeen, a senior guard transferring from the University of Florida. The 6-foot-5 sharpshooter, fresh off helping the Gators win the 2025 national title, arrives in Lexington with the tools and experience to make an immediate impact as Kentucky eyes its ninth championship.
Unexpected Portal Entry, Calculated Move by UK
Aberdeen’s entry into the transfer portal took many by surprise. A native of Orlando and once a three-star recruit, he stuck with Florida through a coaching change and ultimately contributed to their title run. After limited action early in his college career, Aberdeen emerged as a reliable scoring option in his junior season.
Last year, he posted averages of 7.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over nearly 20 minutes per game, appearing in all 39 contests. In five starts, he elevated his game, putting up an impressive 16.2 points per outing while connecting on 46.2% of his three-point attempts.
Elite Shooting Adds Firepower to Wildcats’ Rotation
Aberdeen’s shooting efficiency is a major asset for head coach Mark Pope’s system. He hit 41.8% from the field overall, 35.0% from long distance, and 70.8% at the free-throw line. His perimeter shooting and floor-spacing ability make him a valuable addition to a team loaded with talent.
With one year of eligibility left, Aberdeen is expected to bring leadership, offensive versatility, and a championship mindset to a Kentucky program aiming to return to the pinnacle of college basketball.
