The hits keep coming for Florida’s backcourt. Shortly after losing sophomore guard Kowacie Reeves to the NCAA transfer, the Gators saw junior guard Niels Lane enter his name in the database. Lane, a Freehold, New Jersey native, will have two years of eligibility at his next school.

Lane’s departure doesn’t come as much of a surprise as he appeared in just 14 of Florida’s 33 games this season. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound guard averaged 2.4 points and 1.2 rebounds while playing just under nine minutes a game. Lane’s role diminished from the 2021-22 season when he served as a defensive specialist, starting 3 games over 21 appearances while 3.0 points over 15.2 minutes per game.

Lane signed with Florida as the No. 92 overall player and No. 22 shooting guard in the 2020 class. He chose the Gators over offers from Connecticut, California, Miami and Texas among other schools.