Florida Gators Men’s Basketball Signs 7-Footer Jones Lay for 2026 Season
The University of Florida men’s basketball program has signed Jones Lay, a 7-foot center from Moravian Prep, head coach Todd Golden announced today.
Lay, a native of Tabor City, North Carolina, is a three-star prospect according to ESPN and Rivals. He is expected to join the Gators in the fall of 2026, adding much-needed size to the frontcourt. “We are really excited to welcome Jones to our program here at the University of Florida,” Golden said. “Jones is a big, strong athlete, with his best basketball in front of him. He is a smart, hard worker, who already has a lot of the qualities we look for in our student-athletes. He comes from a family of coaches and athletes, and we believe he will become a valuable piece to our program.”
The addition of Lay comes as the 10th-ranked Gators prepare for their upcoming game against Miami at the Jacksonville Hoops Showdown on Sunday, November 16, at 8:30 p.m. at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Tickets are currently available for purchase on the Florida Gators website. Season tickets and arena passes for the 2025-26 season are already sold out, demonstrating strong fan interest in the program.
Fans can still secure single-game tickets or take advantage of the All Gators Weekend Pack, which includes both a men’s basketball game against Merrimack on November 21 and a football game against Tennessee on November 22. The Merrimack game will also feature a giveaway of a 2025 NCAA National Championship replica ring, presented by Meldon Law. The NCAA recognizes Florida’s rich basketball history, and this signing aims to build on that legacy.
Coach Golden and his staff anticipate Lay will contribute significantly to the team’s future success.
