Florida sophomore guard Laila Reynolds didn’t always have the ball in her hands. Rather, she accidentally found her place on the hardwood as a kid and never looked back.
Growing up, Reynolds was surrounded by football, as her brother played the sport. However, she came across a basketball court next to the field and fell in love with the game.
“I hate to say it, but I was self-motivated when it came to basketball,” Reynolds said. “One day my dad bought me my own basketball to take to the court… and ever since then, I just stuck with it.”
Reynolds wasn’t always the best player, but she has had an internal drive to grow, using hard work and her parent’s support to become the player she is today.
Now, as the only sophomore on the Florida women’s basketball roster, Reynolds carries that same determination forward, developing into a cornerstone of the program’s future. As the Gators usher in a new era of basketball, Reynolds is at the forefront, leading the next generation with the same relentless work ethic that has defined her journey to this point.
Showing, not saying
Although she isn’t always the loudest voice in the locker room, Reynolds uses her actions to set the tone and inspire her team. She’s been intentional in actively growing as a leader and working to expand her impact beyond her success on the court.
“I’m more of a ‘lead by example’ kind of person,” Reynolds said. “I meet with somebody from discipleship, and we’re just trying to stretch my leadership to not only just using my voice, but just shining my light on the younger players and my older teammates as well.”
That leadership has been noticeable this season, as Florida has a fairly young team. As just the second McDonald’s All-American recruit in Florida’s women’s program’s history, Reynolds paved the way for freshman guard Liv McGill and forward Me’Arah O’Neal to join the roster, marking the first time Florida has had three McDonald’s All-Americans on the same team.
Beyond this shared accolade, the trio’s bond as roommates is even more unique. They’re able to connect seamlessly on and off the court, whether it’s about food, basketball or just helping each other with homework. And their connection has been undeniable in their play this season.
McGill, UF’s highest-ranked recruit in program history, currently leads the team in scoring (16.5 ppg), while O’Neal has logged 18 blocks and 137 rebounds.
Reynolds, who has tallied 20 double-digit scoring outings for Florida this season, has provided invaluable support as a mentor for the two freshmen. While she’s a year older than McGill and O’Neal, she relates to them the most out of anyone in the locker room. The sophomore offers her younger teammates fresh and comforting advice — a tool Reynolds lacked when she was a rookie.
“Everybody was an upperclassman, mostly seniors, so [I missed] just having that person that just literally just experienced freshman year,” Reynolds said. “So they’d been through it, known the ropes, stuff like that.”
Now, with one year under her belt, Reynolds has shown the freshmen how she progressed to evolve into the key contributor she is today. She feels accountable for the younger players and their well-being, hoping to “let them know what a Gators women’s basketball player should look like,” while also guiding them towards that path.
Reynolds’ main piece of advice for the freshmen duo centered around the importance of using Florida’s coaching staff as a resource to continue their growth during workouts, practices and games.
“Listening to coach Kelly [Rae Finley] is the biggest thing … I’ve always seen it translate to the court [and] getting in the gym and not being afraid to call upon somebody or call on somebody just for help,” Reynolds said.
Continuing to develop
When Reynolds was recruited, she embraced Finley’s vision for growing the program, a challenge the head coach said Reynolds was up for. From the start, Florida’s coaching staff saw something special in Reynolds, never letting up in her recruitment. Finley and her staff’s unwavering belief in Reynolds led her to finding a home and place within the Gators.
“Liv and [Reynolds] and I work out a lot together, and you can see the direct translation to how she's working out, how she's seeing the game, simply her ability to play on ball or off ball and interchange with Liv,” Finley said.
Reynolds has made significant strides since her freshman season. As the No. 19 recruit in the country, the guard made an immediate impact last year, playing in all 32 games and starting in 31. Her 7.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game led to her earning a 2024 SEC All-Freshman team nod — an accolade she is proud of, but sees as just the beginning of what she wants to prove.
In her sophomore campaign, Reynolds has continued to elevate her game, ranking fourth on the team in scoring (10.5 ppg). Her wide-ranging scoring abilities and staunch defensive presence have reinforced her reputation as a consistent and reliable contributor.
Although Reynolds has shined on the court this season, her progress has not come without adversity. After undergoing hip surgery this off-season, she missed the entire summer of off-season training. Rather than letting this obstacle derail her, she focused on “control[ing] the controllables.”
Reynolds found ways to improve from the sideline and embraced a different perspective to strengthen her leadership and make her a more diverse player. While the young Florida guard was unable to develop her skills on the court, Finley said she believes this time off was crucial in boosting Reynolds’ vision of the game and her team.
“I don’t think [I] could be more pleased with where she’s at, but she’s a competitor. She’s relentless in her work ethic, and she’s earned the opportunity to go out there and play that way,” Finley said. “It’s what we expect from her. Every night, she’s only going to continue to improve.”
Her teammates recognize it, too. Freshman wing Kylee Kitts praised Reynolds’ persistent positivity and guidance, which uplifts all the Gators on the team.
“She offers a lot for the team, scoring-wise, defensive-wise, in all aspects of the game,” Kitts said. “[She’s] good at keeping a composure.”
For Reynolds, her journey is just beginning. As she continues to elevate her game and push toward her goal of winning a championship, she looks to help bring Florida basketball to new heights.
“I think she's going to [be] hands down one of the best guards in the country,” Finley said. “I think she's a pro in her approach, how she treats others, how she handles her business, how she handles her work and her approach to the game, and whatever WNBA team drafts her is going to be very, very lucky to have her.”
Reynolds and her squad now turn their focus to the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament semifinals March 31. The Gators will take on Minnesota with their eyes set on a spot in the championship game two days later.
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.
