San Antonio, April 8, 2025 — The Florida Gators men’s basketball team claimed their third NCAA national title on Monday night, edging out the Houston Cougars 65-63 in a dramatic finale at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
This marks Florida’s first national championship since 2007, capping off an unforgettable March Madness run under head coach Todd Golden, who becomes the youngest coach to win a national title since 1983.
Late Comeback Stuns Houston
Florida trailed for much of the game and was down by as many as 12 points early in the second half. But with clutch performances in the final minutes, the Gators turned the tide.
Senior guard Walter Clayton Jr., who was held scoreless in the first half, delivered 11 crucial points in the second and sealed the victory with a critical defensive stop against Houston’s Emanuel Sharp in the closing seconds.
“Coach told us to trust the defense and stay composed,” Clayton said post-game. “We knew we had one more stop in us.”
Star Performances Lead the Way
Will Richard led Florida with 18 points and 8 rebounds, playing a key two-way role.
Alex Condon added 12 points and made the game-clinching play by diving for the final loose ball as time expired.
The victory improves Florida’s all-time record in national championship games to 3–1.
Houston Comes Up Short
Despite a strong showing led by L.J. Cryer (19 points), Houston was unable to hold off Florida’s late surge. This was the Cougars’ first appearance in the national title game since 1984, and they remain in pursuit of their first championship.
“We had the game in our hands,” said Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson. “Credit to Florida. They never stopped pushing.”
Historic Milestone for the Gators
With this win, the University of Florida joins a rare group of programs with three national titles in both football and men’s basketball, underlining the school’s status as a powerhouse in collegiate athletics.
The Gators previously won NCAA men’s basketball titles in 2006 and 2007 under coach Billy Donovan.
