Florida basketball is making waves on the international scene once again. Head coach Todd Golden and the Gators have secured a commitment from Slovenian forward Domen Petrovic, adding another promising European talent to their roster.
The 6-foot-9 forward officially signed with Florida on Monday, bringing a versatile skill set to Gainesville. Petrovic most recently played for GGD Sencur in Slovenia, where he posted impressive numbers: 16.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. His efficiency is what really stands out—he shot 57.4% from the field and a solid 39.5% from beyond the arc, making him a legitimate stretch-forward threat.
Petrovic is no stranger to big moments or familiar faces. He previously teamed up with current Florida guard Urban Klavzar at the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, where the duo helped Slovenia capture a silver medal. Petrovic averaged 9.7 points during that tournament, showing he can perform on an international stage.
"We are really excited to welcome Domen into our program," Golden said in the announcement. "He is a very skilled forward that has great positional size. He has shown incremental improvement every year, and he's currently playing the best basketball of his young career. He is a high-achiever both on and off the court and will help us continue to raise the bar here at Florida!"
The signing continues a clear trend under Golden: embracing international talent. Petrovic joins Lithuanian forward Arturas Butajevas as the Gators' most recent international additions, signaling Florida's commitment to scouting and developing talent from abroad.
Florida has been one of the biggest winners of the transfer portal this offseason, but the focus has been on retention as much as acquisition. The Gators brought back forwards Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh—their leading scorers from last season—while also reeling in former Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen, who spent a season at Kentucky before returning to Gainesville.
Starting guard Boogie Fland is also set to return for his third season, and starting center Rueben Chinyelu could join him, though he's currently testing the NBA draft waters. The Gators only lost two players via the transfer portal: reserve centers Olivier Rioux and Micah Handlogten.
At 22 years old, Petrovic brings maturity and upside to a Florida team that's shaping up to be a contender. With his size, shooting touch, and international experience, he has all the tools to develop into a college star for the Gators.