GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Denzel Aberdeen helped Florida win a national championship last April. On his return, he was known as the “Crocodile Traitor.”
The Kentucky guard was ridiculed endlessly during the 92-83 loss to the Gators. It was Aberdeen’s first game in Gainesville since leaving the program and signing with a Southeastern Conference rival.
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Florida fans booed him during pregame warmups and introductions. But once the game was over, the “noisy reptiles” of Florida State’s student section became even harsher. Every time he touched the ball, they would “welcome” him back by chanting “Gator Traitor.”
Aberdeen, who spent the past three years in Florida, handled it well. He responded by scoring a team-high 19 points on 8-for-21 shooting. The Gators forced him to take contested shots — he went 5-for-6 from 3-point range — and didn’t let him do much else.
Aberdeen added four assists, two turnovers, a steal and a rebound.
“Well, Florida fans know Denzel,” Kentucky coach Mark Pope said. “Denzel is the ultimate competitor. I never worry about the lights with him. I never worry about the moment. I never worry about distractions because he loves to compete.
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“This fan knows him. Of course, our fans love him very much. He’s a special player.”
Golden said Aberdeen’s return and the backlash that comes with it is something college basketball should get used to, especially with players having the freedom to move from place to place.
“This is a new era,” Golden said. “We wiped it out. We were cool.”
Florida had several former players attend its sold-out game against Kentucky, including NBA rookies Walter Clayton and Will Richard.
Clayton, last year’s Final Four MVP, and Richard received a standing ovation when they walked to their courtside seats and were recognized during the first half. Matt Walsh (2002-05) and Matt Bonner (1999-2003) also visited Gainesville and received a warm reception.
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The same cannot be said for Aberdeen. He left Florida for more money and maybe a better opportunity in Lexington. While Florida State made a big deal when it presented championship rings to Clayton, Richard and Aliyah Martin in person during the NBA season, the team only shipped one ring to Aberdeen.
Golden may even have implicitly criticized Aberdeen’s decision by referring to Kentucky’s “$22 million roster” after the game.
Last year, Golden signed Arkansas linebacker Boogie Friend to bolster his backfield. Friend spent much of the game guarding Ortega Owe, who scored 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting. Aberdeen looked slightly better and got more attention.
“It was a good game,” Florida’s Alex Condon said. “I knew Zell was going to be aggressive tonight and try to give the crowd a little bit of momentum. Credit to him. He had a solid game and was aggressive. But our guys did a great job of making it tough, making him take those tough twos and getting him out of the 3-point line.”
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