Basketball Star Xaivian Lee ’26 Transfers to Florida

Xaivian Lee ’26 is leaving Princeton for the University of Florida. Lee is the first high-profile transfer out of Princeton men’s basketball since the NCAA updated the rules dictating NIL and the transfer portal. He will join a Gator squad that won the national title in San Antonio just two weeks ago. 

Lee declared his intention to enter the NBA draft process last year, but ultimately returned to Princeton for his junior season. The standout guard notched Princeton’s first two triple doubles in program history during that year — one in December 2024 and the second in March 2025. He averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game last season. 

Lee’s transfer out of Princeton leaves behind a Princeton team on its heels following a season full of frustrations. Head Coach Mitch Henderson ’98 repeatedly referred to the 2024-25 season as the most difficult season he had ever coached. Princeton posted a record of 19–11 after starting the season as favorites to win the League. They entered the Ivy League Tournament as a four-seed and lost a close contest to Yale. It was Lee who was unable to make the game-winner that he had sank in so many other contests that season. 

When the tournament dust cleared, associate head coach Brett MacConnell — who recruited Lee from the Perkiomen School — and assistant coach Lawrence Rowley were fired.

Choosing Florida, Lee passed on offers from Kansas and St. John’s, two other storied men’s basketball programs.