One of Florida’s biggest splashes in the transfer portal this offseason was the addition of Princeton guard Xaivian Lee, who averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season. The local media caught up with Lee after the Gators held their first organized summer workout on Tuesday afternoon.
Here’s the Q&A from the press conference.
What went into the decision to join forces with Todd [Golden] down here?
“Yeah, I mean, for me, it was a pretty easy decision, honestly. I kind of had my eyes on Florida going into the process: just culture, proof of concept, obviously. With them winning it last year, that obviously helped, but even before that, you know, I liked what was going on here and I was really excited to get out here and test myself and see what I can do at this level.”
On what he liked about how Florida used its guards:
“I like the pace of play. I like how fast it goes from one side to the other. I like the bigs and how they run the floor really well, guard, and really support the guards well. I feel like it’s all that and they give you a lot of freedom as well. It was something just watching on TV you could see. I was friends with Tommy before and was tuning into a lot of games since his freshman year, and just seeing it throughout the years, it was really cool.”
How often did you check in with Tommy [Haugh] during his 2 seasons?
“Last year a little more, obviously. Just checking in and then down the stretch, he started calling me more. Usually, I was calling him but then he started calling me more, recruiting me a little, too. Yeah, every once in a while I would give him a shout and be like “Good job,” or maybe not give him a shout if something went wrong (laughter), but once in a while.”
On the transition from the Ivy League to SEC competition:
“For sure, you know,, I see a lot of people talking about “How’s he going to do against better competition?”. But for me, I look at it like I am getting to play with a lot more talented, athletic guys. At Princeton, we had a great program. But I am excited to challenge myself here and also to play with a lot of guys who have the same aspirations I do. So yeah, I’m excited about it, honestly. I did some pre-draft stuff last year, got used to playing with guys at the high major level. I’m coming in confident, trying to see, you know, how well I can do.”
On how the shoe deal came together and how that works at a Jordan Brand School:
“I’m super for grateful for that. You know the deal went through smoothly and stuff. We were talking at the end of the year, similar to the Florida process but not all at once, obviously. At Florida, I’ll wear Jordan, but anywhere but Florida, I’ll be wearing Serious Players Only.”
What’s that like to represent a brand in college still?
“It’s super cool. Obviously not many people get the opportunity, so I am super grateful for it. And they have a similar vision to what I do and they want me to become one of the faces of the shoe game, so I’m excited to see where that goes.”
Any player you looked up to from Canada?
“Yeah, well, when I was growing up, I mean, I love the Raptors, you know. And that’s not Canadian basketball, but you know Toronto, obviously. And now just watching Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) and Andrew Nembhard play in the Finals, at the highest level, it’s amazing with four (Canadians) in the Finals. Cool to see.”
What brought you to Pennsylvania (and the chance to team up with Thomas Haugh)?
“Yeah if you look at that team now, we had some really good players out there. We were so well coached. Shout out Coach B. I feel like that was the first time I really walked onto a basketball court and had all my distractions put away. I really developed my love for basketball right there. I think that was the leaping point for me, just to get started on my career.”
What was it like getting to know Tommy [Haugh]?
“It was good. We were just talking about it. We went to Coach Golden’s house yesterday for dinner and he drove me back home and we were like, we wouldn’t believe it if you told us three or four years ago that we’d both be here playing for Florida. It’s pretty surreal but at the same time I’m just exited to get to work.”
Almost triple-double numbers, how have you developed that versatility?
“Yeah, I’m just trying to win, do whatever I can on the floor to help my team win. Last year that required doing a little bit of everything. I don’t know if I’ll get too many rebounds this year with all the towers we have around here. I’ll try and stick my nose in there a little bit but just doing what the team needs.”
Playing with the experienced front court make your job easier?
“We played with all of us for the first time today. We’ve got a lot of length on the team and a lot of skill. I think I’m super excited to see — I’ve gotta get used to playing with these guys — but I’m excited to see this summer and I think we’ve already developed some good chemistry on and off the court and I think, I’m hoping it comes together well. I think we’re on that track.”
Your impression of playing with Boogie Fland?
“Boogie’s mega-talented. He’s fun to play with and a nice guy. We’re going to come along really nicely and I think a lot of people are like, ‘how are you going to play together?’ but I think we’re going to compliment each other really nicely. Help create for each other a little bit get some easier looks because we can both create. I’m super excited.”
When Tommy had that great run, was that the Tommy you played with in high school?
“I mean, flashes of it, yeah. Obviously it’s different to do it on the biggest stage in college basketball. I always had full faith in Thomas that he was going to develop into this. It’s cool to see him do it here, too. A lot of guys plateau at a certain stage. That’s kind of the name of the game once you get to such a high level. It’s just cool to see him continue to get better. We were working out a couple days ago, first time I got here and he was doing like step backs and I was like, I don’t remember that from Perkiomen. The intangibles are still there for sure.”
Running the Princeton offense, how does that translate to the offense they run here?
“We run a lot of zoom actions here, which is kind of similar to what we did at Princeton, obviously. Maybe not like generic Princeton brand that people come to but if you’ve watched the last two years there it was a little more fast-paced there at times, I think just really maybe not the offense itself but to make the reads at Princeton will help me when I get here because a lot of that is you play fast one side and then make your read and make a play. I think that really prepared me.”
Can you take a leadership role as an older player?
“Yeah, I’m more of a laidback guy so I think it’s on me to lead a little bit using my voice more. I know me and Boogie are laidback like that but we have to fill those shoes a little bit. Every year is different but obviously each team is going to come together how it comes together. We’re going to try and push that a little bit. The older guys who have been here are already leaders and know what’s going on.”
Balance of on the ball and off the ball with you and Boogie?
“I hope it develops well. I think it’s going to go well. I wouldn’t see it going any other way. We’ll have to get used to play with each other but me and him getting in to shoot all the time and work out. I’m looking forward to it.”
Academics a little easier?
“I hope so! So far, it’s been easier.”
Underdog mentality. Do you feel that?
“Yeah, 100 percent. I feel like I’ve been overlooked my entire life playing and growing up. Now, everyone knows who we are, coming off a great year, bringing a lot of talent. I still feel like we’ve got a chip on our shoulder. We’ve got a lot to prove again. I’m excited.”
Is Ollie Rioux a “known commodity”
“Yeah, definitely. I actually played with him a couple summers ago, both representing Canada (Under 19 team). I knew him from there but if he just walks around everyone knows who he is.”