Clifford Lett signed with the Gators from Pensacola High and played alongside Vernon Maxwell, Andrew Morten and Ronnie Montgomery. He was there for the arrival and ascension of Dwayne Schnitzius, Livingston Chatman and Dwayne Davis. As a freshman, he played for the NIT. As a sophomore, he played in his first NCAA Tournament of the program.
Then came a senior season that marked not only his best individual campaign, but also UF’s first Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Championship.
“We made history,” Rhett said Friday.
Saturday morning Lett made some more. This time, it was personal as he walked the stage at Exactech Arena during practice for the summer of 2022, after finishing work for his sociology degree after 33 years.
Prior to his death in 2009, 57-year-old Rhett made a promise to his father, Charlie. Tom Williamsnow Assistant Athletic Director of the Hawkins Center, acted as Letts’ “contact” throughout the process, helping to see it all through.
“It’s been a long road,” said Lett, who has spent the past two years working back and forth between online classes and a job in the Brevard County Recreation Department and hosting high school sports. “I promised my father that I would get it done, and I chipped away at it bit by bit. It feels good to finally put it behind me.”
Joining Letts’ wife for the ceremony was Sloan’s assistant coach Kenny McCraney, who recruited Letts, which made the milestone all the more special.
His name probably didn’t resonate with those in the building. But those who know his Lett, a UF student-athlete, understand how he got to this point.
“I think that speaks to his character,” Williams said.
On the court, Rhett was willing to hold off on Maxwell and company during those seasons as Sloan rebuilt a team that won just five games in the 81-82 season into an annual postseason entrant. He started only three of his 93 games and averaged 3.4 points in the first three of his seasons, but has always been a part of the rotation, a solid defender and a locker in his career. Most respected in the room.
Rhett never allowed himself to get involved in nonsense (or scandals) that often led to topics outside the sports department.
[Gainesville Sun photo]
“We had some characters on those teams, which is a good way to put it,” Rhett said. “I always relied on my Christian faith. It was hard at times. There were a lot of temptations back then, but I kept my feet on the ground. That’s how I grew up.” ”
As the team’s senior and team captain in 1988-89, Rhett primarily paired in the backcourt with Renaldo Garcia. He started all 34 of his games, averaging 13.1 points on a 46% shooting percentage and leading the Gators with 146 of his assists and 52 steals. His 3-pointer in the late game to beat Vanderbilt 83-80 earned him a share of his SEC crown for the first time in the program, and the Gators won his road win at LSU four nights later. won outright.
Basketball in Florida reached immeasurable heights long after Rhett was gone. But only one team could call himself “the first champion,” and Lett was the most important player among those trophy winners.
Now he’s a Gator graduate.
“We had a great time,” Rhett said. “And we put Florida basketball on the map.”
