Gonzaga lands former Florida standout after Summer League stint with Cavs

Former Florida guard Xaivian Lee is returning to college basketball after committing to Gonzaga, On3’s Joe Tipton reported Wednesday night. The move comes after Lee spent the summer with the Cleveland Cavaliers following his selection to an Exhibit 10 contract and his participation in the 2026 NBA Summer League.

Lee, a 6-foot-3 guard, entered the transfer portal on Aug. 18 after receiving a temporary restraining order in California that gave 73 student-athletes a seven-day opportunity to enter the portal. Lee was among the plaintiffs in the fifth-year eligibility lawsuit and had previously been eligible through the Colorado ruling involving players from the 2022 recruiting class.

The commitment gives Bulldogs head coach Mark Few an experienced backcourt option after Lee spent his first three collegiate seasons at Princeton before transferring to the Gators. With the Tigers, Lee averaged 17.1 points as a sophomore and 16.9 points as a junior. He earned First Team All-Ivy League recognition in both 2024 and 2025 and averaged 17.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals over his final two seasons while shooting 50.6% on two-point attempts and 35.2% from three.

Lee transferred to Florida on April 16, 2025, choosing the Gators over St. John’s and Kansas. During his lone season in Gainesville, he averaged 11.6 points, 4.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. His 147 assists led Florida, while his 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked among the SEC’s best.

Lee recorded 24 points on 6-of-10 shooting against George Washington on Dec. 13, earning Orange Bowl Classic MVP honors. He was also named SEC Player of the Week on Feb. 16 after scoring 18 points against Georgia and 22 against then-No. 25 Kentucky.

After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, Lee joined the Cavaliers for Summer League. He appeared in five games, averaging 6.4 points, 2.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 16 minutes per game. He shot 40% from the field and 21.4% from three.

At Gonzaga, Lee adds another experienced guard to a roster that also includes Davis Fogle, Chauncey Wiggins, Braden Huff and Massamba Diop. His addition gives the Bulldogs another perimeter playmaker after Javon Bennett became ineligible following the NCAA’s stay request in the Colorado lawsuit.

Lee will now use his fifth collegiate season at Gonzaga after spending the summer pursuing an NBA opportunity with the Cavaliers.

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