Alex Condon's Hustle Seals Florida's Championship in Stunning Final Moments
Let me tell you about one of the wildest and most emotional finishes in college basketball history—because this one really had it all. We're talking about the 2025 NCAA Championship game between Houston and Florida, and how the Gators pulled off a heart-stopping 65-63 win. But more than anything, this game will be remembered for what happened in the final minute—and for one name that might’ve flown under the radar until now: Alex Condon.
So, picture this. Houston, the team that thrives off grit and grinding out second chances, led by the legendary Kelvin Sampson, had everything going in their favor—16 more shots than Florida, their signature rebounding dominance, and a shot at Sampson’s 800th career win. But when it mattered most, they crumbled. Three turnovers in the last minute. Zero shot attempts. And that’s how their season, their dream, and Sampson’s moment slipped away.
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Now let’s talk about Florida. Sure, Walter Clayton Jr. had a tough shooting night—only 3-for-10—but man, did he flip the script when it mattered. People have always criticized his defense, but on that final possession, he shut everyone up. Clayton’s hustle on the closeout disrupted Houston's Emanuel Sharp just enough to cause a turnover. But it wasn’t just Clayton. Enter Alex Condon. His relentless hustle on that play—diving, scrapping, doing all the dirty work—sealed the deal. That moment? It was the difference between a loss and a national title.
Todd Golden, Florida’s head coach, said it best: "Walter, great closeout, and Alex Condon, great hustle play to win the game." That’s what makes champions—doing whatever it takes when the pressure is suffocating. That whole Florida locker room was buzzing afterward, and rightly so. Even Denzel Aberdeen, with diamond chains and all, gave props to Clayton’s defense, while big man Micah Handlogten couldn’t stop smiling about what Walter pulled off.
On the flip side, Houston’s locker room was crushed. Tears everywhere. Seniors like J’Wan Roberts knew it was their last shot. You could feel the weight of the loss—because this wasn’t just any game. This was the one they believed was theirs. And maybe, just maybe, they were right... if not for those turnovers.
Alex Condon might not have made the headlines before this game, but now? His name is etched in Florida basketball history. That single hustle play, in the tensest moment imaginable, proved championship DNA isn't always about scoring—sometimes, it's about heart, grit, and being the guy who refuses to give up on a play.
So yeah, Florida got its third national title. And the Gators showed once again—they can win in any way.
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