Story perspectives

UF Basketball Unveils 2026-27 Jerseys, Aberdeen Takes No. 1

6/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

The University of Florida men’s basketball team announced the jersey numbers for the 2026-27 season on Wednesday.
Denzel Aberdeen will wear No. 1 after previously wearing No. 11.
Freshman center Jones Lay, a 7-foot, 230-pound recruit from Moravian Prep, will debut in No. 13.
Domen Petrovic will wear No. 19, with his classification for next season still pending.
Artus Butajevas will wear No. 11, the number he used for Lithuania in the FIBA U-18 Eurobasket.

History

Historical Context

On April 3, 2006, Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators captured their first NCAA men’s basketball championship, defeating UCLA 73-57 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. The victory, earned after a 24-6 regular season and a No. 3 tournament seed, elevated the program’s national profile and boosted recruiting. That momentum underpins the 2026-27 roster announced by coach Todd Golden, featuring freshmen Jones Lay, Denzel Aberdeen and Artus Butajevas.

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Story summary

The University of Florida men’s basketball team announced the jersey numbers for the 2026-27 season on Wednesday.
Denzel Aberdeen will wear No. 1 after previously wearing No. 11.
Freshman center Jones Lay, a 7-foot, 230-pound recruit from Moravian Prep, will debut in No. 13.
Domen Petrovic will wear No. 19, with his classification for next season still pending.
Artus Butajevas will wear No. 11, the number he used for Lithuania in the FIBA U-18 Eurobasket.

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