Trump welcomes Golden, Gators to White House: ‘I can see why you won’

The Florida basketball teams final moment together was another winning performance, only this time on an even bigger stage than last months NCAA championship game.President Donald Trump welcomed coach Todd Golden and the Gators to the White House Wednesday to celebrate their 2025 national title, showering players with praise while delivering one-liners all around.Trump entered the East Room with Golden by his side and quickly told the crowd, many among it holding up cell phones to capture the moment, I just met your coach.

I can see why you won.Trump soon introduced Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S.

Senator Ashley Moody, each UF graduates, along with Senator Rick Scott and U.S.

representatives from the Sunshine State.President Donald Trump shakes hands with Will Richard, one of the top players for Florida's national championship team, as the Gators visited the White House Wednesday to celebrate their accomplishment.

(ulia Demaree Nikhinson)Before long, Trump welcomed Tim Tebow to join them on stage, saying, As a college player, maybe the best ever.Golden and the Gators, though, were the main attraction.I heard a lot of good things about him, Trump said of the 39-year-old coach, who recently signed a 6-year, $40.5 million deal.

Oh, would I like to be his agent.

Dont go anywhere, Coach.Given the gravity and singularity of a White House, the majority of the players and coaching staff made their way to Washington, D.C.Orlandos Denzel Aberdeen joined his former teammates despite his surprising decision to transfer to Kentucky for his final season.Trump quipped, I love that name.

Denzel Aberdeen.

I have a place in Aberdeen, Scotland.Also on hand were former assistant coaches Kevin Hovde, now the head coach at Columbia University, and John Andrzejek, who left for Campbell University, along with forward Sam Alexis, an Apopka native who transferred to Indiana University.Trump recalled many of the moments from the Gators march to the national championship and a 36-4 record while signaling out many of the teams stars.President Donald Trump arrives, followed by head coach Todd Golden, to host the 2025 NCAA Champion, University of Florida men's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)From Will Richards game-winning layup to stun South Carolina to Alijah Martins clutch free throws to give the Gators a late lead in the championship game against Houston, Trump hit all the high points of the 2024-25 season.Were you nervous? Trump asked Martin, who replied he was not.Oh, if you didnt sink them, you wouldnt be up here now, Trump said, drawing a chorus of laughter.Trump made sure to single out All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr., the NCAA Tournaments Most Outstanding Player, to position him to become a first-round pick in next months NBA draft.I hear hes unbelievable, special, going to be a very early draft choice, Trump said, adding, if theyre smart.Trump soon looked ahead even further at the Gators title defense in 2025-26 and their preseason ranking.Told by Golden a spot in the top 5 is likely, Trump said, If youre top 5, that means with you as a coach, youre going to win.After Trump concluded, Go Gators; we love you in Florida, Golden closed the ceremony by thanking the nations 47th president for the invitation and those on hand for their support.Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen.

Ashley Moody, R-Fla., all UF graduates, listen as President Donald Trump hosts the 2025 NCAA Champion, University of Florida mens basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Wed Wednesday in Washington DC.

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)Mr.

President, I like to think of our program similarly to way you think of the United States were a meritocracy, he said.

We work really, really hard.

No matter what you look like, where you come from, if you put the team first and win, were going to play you.Im incredibly proud of our players and staff and what weve done over the last year.

Our goal is to do everything we can to put us in position to be here next year.When Golden finished, he then presented Trump a basketball signed by the players and staff, along with a No.

47 Gators jersey.Thank you; thats very sweet, Trump said.Trump then ushered the team to the Oval Office, where he greeted 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux with a handshake as Trump sat at his desk.One my guys downstairs said these are the tallest human beings Ive ever seen, Trump said.Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected].

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