Just over halfway through its 2024-2025 campaign, the Florida Gators women’s basketball team sits at 11-9 overall and 2-4 in the SEC. After being eliminated in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals last season, finishing with a 16-16 (5-11 SEC) record, the Gators have since retooled their roster in hopes of a brighter future.
Here is the latest look at where Florida stands halfway through their season.
Ra Shaya Kyle’s return
Kyle previously suffered a season-ending knee injury against Vanderbilt on Jan. 7, 2024. The 6-foot-6-inch center faced a long and hard recovery process in order to get back on the court with her teammates.
“I was in a really dark place," Kyle said. “I was sad and it was really tough not being able to help my team.”
Despite her setback, Kyle has displayed tremendous resilience and leadership since returning to Florida’s lineup in its 2024-25 season opener.
She currently ranks 10th in the nation in double-doubles. Kyle notched her 10th of the year with 16 points and 10 rebounds in Florida’s 26-point victory against Mizzou Jan. 12.
“I do have [double-doubles] in my mind,” Kyle said. “That’s just the goal that I’ve set for myself this year.”
Currently averaging 15 points per game and 9.3 rebounds, Kyle is off to the strongest start of her career.
The center has reestablished herself as a force in the league and a leader on the court, ranking seventh in field goal percentage (63.9%) in the NCAA.
Finding the right formula
Despite having five new players on their roster this season, the Gators’ team chemistry has been apparent both on and off the court.
Specifically, junior forward Alexia Gassett and Kyle have worked together well this season. As roommates, the pair has established a great relationship both in the practice facility and around campus.
“When [Gassett] comes in for me, or I go in for her, we just know the slack is not gonna be let down,” Kyle said.
Gassett has worked to become a key contributor in her first year for the Gators, tallying 94 total rebounds on the season and a season-high of 11. She leads Florida in total blocks (20), averaging one per game.
However, Florida has struggled to be consistent from start to finish in numerous games this season, a pattern that has weakened it in SEC play.
This trend was exposed in Florida’s recent game against its highest-ranked opponent, No.5 LSU. Florida had a 21-15 lead after the first quarter, but then quickly lost it as the game progressed, allowing 24 turnovers. The Gators ended up losing by a margin of 17-points.
The Gators have found themselves in positions where they either start the game slowly and pick it up towards the end, or they take an early lead and can’t maintain the same intensity for all four quarters.
UF women’s basketball head coach Kelly Rae Finley has asserted from the beginning of the season the importance of “being consistent through four quarters [because] every single possession matters equally.” She attributes this setback to her team’s inexperience.
Turnovers have been another Achilles heel for UF. Florida suffered its largest defeat of the season in its game against Ole Miss Jan. 16 due to 29 turnovers, which in turn led to 42 points for the Rebels.
If Florida wants to improve in the SEC, it needs to dictate the pace of games from the start, limit turnovers and maximize its strengths in the paint.
Florida’s rising stars
The Gators secured two top recruits in the 2024 class with the addition of freshman guard Liv McGill and wing Me’Arah O’Neal this past offseason. Both McGill and O’Neal were McDonald’s All-Americans, joining 2023 All-American and sophomore guard Laila Reynolds at UF. This marks the first time in program history that Florida has three players with this honor suiting up in the same season.
McGill quickly established herself as Florida’s leading scorer, averaging a team-high 16.1 points per game so far this season.
Moreover, she secured UF’s first triple-double since 2017 against Mizzou. Her 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Tigers earned her SEC Freshman of the Week.
The highest-ranked recruit in Florida program history, McGill, has started in all 20 games in her debut year. She has proven to be a versatile player on both ends of the court for the Gators.
“I think it starts with her intensity, like she brings it to practice everyday,” Reynolds said of McGill. “Just her dog mentality, she’s always pressuring the ball, whatever it is. She’s always willing to bring it.”
As just a freshman, McGill has had a great influence on setting the tone of games.
While McGill plays a crucial role individually, she still prioritizes team success. She claimed she would sacrifice scoring points if it meant her team would win.
Meanwhile, O’Neal has had a strong start to the season, but still seems to be finding her place on the court for Florida.
“We [are] able to move Me'Arah around to different positions, offensively and defensively,” Finley said. “She's a really good three-point shooter. We haven't seen that translate to the game just yet, but in due time when it does, it's going to be really scary.”
The daughter of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal scored seven points in her debut game against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 4 and a career-high 18 points against Chicago State on Nov. 12.
O’Neal also snagged 14 points and 10 rebounds in her first career double-double against Hofstra on Dec. 2.
The 6-foot-4-inch freshman is a powerful force on defense, using her sizable frame to secure blocks and rebounds.
“I mean, it’s all a part of the game,” O’Neal said. “You gotta be aggressive to play in the SEC.”
As she continues to refine and work on her game, O’Neal’s size and presence will make her a key asset for Florida.
“I see her being consistent. She's extremely bought in and she's really driven,” Finley said. “I see that paying off for her in a huge way."
What’s next?
Florida currently sits at 12th in the SEC standings, but its path ahead won’t get easier.
The Gators face tough opponents such as No. 19 Alabama, No. 2 South Carolina, No. 15 Tennessee and No. 7 Texas in the coming weeks.
“We have to play Florida basketball every night, no matter who our opponent is,” Finley said. “You know, we respect everybody and not one game is bigger than another.”
While the Gators do have the potential to make a statement, they must continue to perform at their best and find consistency.
Contact Amanda Roman at aroman@alligator.org. Follow her on X @mandy_romannn.
Amanda Roman is a sophomore sports journalism major and the Spring 2025 women's basketball reporter. This is her second semester at the sports desk for The Alligator, and she previously interned for Fort Lauderdale United FC. In her free time, she enjoys lifting, shopping and reading.
