Florida Forward Colin Castleton Says Goodbye to Gator Nation

Forward Colin Castleton pens his goodbye to Gator Nation following three seasons at Florida.

Photo: Colin Castleton; Credit: Zach Goodall

Gators forward Colin Castleton thanked Florida fans far and wide on Friday in the wake of UF's Wednesday exit from the National Invitation Tournament, with his collegiate career now in the rearview mirror. 

"The last three years have been the best three years of my life. This place is nothing short of special," Castleton wrote via Twitter. "Thank you Gator Nation for the unconditional love and support. As one chapter closes another one begins. Gator for life."

The last three years have been the best three years of my life. This place is nothing short of special. Thank you Gator Nation for the unconditional love and support. As one chapter closes another one begins. Gator for life 💙 pic.twitter.com/7F9ZXjNMpA

— Colin (@Castleton_) March 16, 2023

Castleton, a fifth-year senior, missed the final five games of the 2022-23 regular season and the Gators' one-game appearances in the SEC Tournament and NIT after suffering a broken right hand during Florida's 79-64 victory over Ole Miss on Feb. 15.

The 6-foot-11, 250-pound Deland, Fla. native transferred to Florida from Michigan ahead of his junior campaign in 2020 and was a key figure on Mike White's teams, starting 49 of his 52 games under the former head coach and averaging 14.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest along the way.

COVID-19 eligibility extended Castleton's tenure in Gainesville to three years, and he served as the ultimate benefactor for new head coach Todd Golden's debut season with the team. Castleton produced dominant 16-point, 7.7-rebound, three-block and 2.7-assist per-game averages in 2022-23, establishing himself as a potential second-round 2023 NBA Draft selection before suffering his injury. 

“He was a good part of our team on both sides of the ball. Senior leader, a guy that we played through offensively, a guy that did a great job protecting us on the backside of our defense," Golden said after Castleton permanently exited the lineup. 

"He’s given a lot to this program. You know, him coming back for a fifth year was really unselfish and something that I was grateful for, being a first-year head coach here in terms of trying to make sure we were competitive in year one."

Castleton will continue to pursue a pro career, and his final season with the Gators certainly strengthened his profile.

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