Fifth-year grad student Bennett Andersen hoists the mock check awarded him Tuesday by Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – During Tuesday’s practice, the Florida Gators men’s basketball team entered the gym to find unfamiliar faces and cameras waiting. Head coach Todd Golden called the team to center court, setting the stage for a moment that would go far beyond Final Four hype.
Brandon Landry, founder of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, shared his journey with the team. A former walk-on at LSU, Landry recalled, “The last guy coming in the game, whether up by 30 or down by 30,” before launching his hospitality venture in 2003. Today, Walk-On’s boasts 80 locations across 16 states, including three in Florida.
“We like to celebrate the heart of a walk-on,” Landry told the Gators. “We like to find stories, and you guys have been inspirational.”
The spotlight quickly turned to fifth-year guard Bennett Andersen, who spent three seasons as a team manager before earning walk-on status under Golden in 2023.
Brandon Landry
In recent postseason play, Andersen made three late-game appearances that electrified the bench. In the SEC Tournament semifinals, he drove past Alabama’s Labaron Philon for a layup that sent teammates into a frenzy. During the “Sweet 16” win over Maryland, he grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a putback with just over a minute remaining, once again igniting celebration.
Brandon Landry shared that he'd heard fifth-year graduate student Bennett Andersen—who holds a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering—has a fondness for cheeseburgers. As a result, Andersen now has an open invitation to enjoy one on the house at any Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux location.
“And one other thing,” Landry added. “You're gettin' a scholarship.”
Soon after, Andersen—now affectionately nicknamed “Bennie Buckets”—was all smiles as he posed with a $10,000 ceremonial check, surrounded by teammates celebrating the moment.
Already holding an Industrial & Systems Engineering degree and currently pursuing a master’s in management from the College of Business, Andersen was visibly moved. It’s been a whirlwind stretch for the Tampa native, whose postgame interview with WRUF during the Elite Eight in San Francisco recently went viral. That moment led to a T-shirt endorsement deal for both Andersen and reporter Talia Baia.
The scholarship announcement for Bennett Andersen came together quickly, thanks to coordinated efforts from Ben Chase, UF’s director of NIL strategy, the University Athletic Association’s compliance team, and the crew at Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux.
“It means a lot,” said Andersen, whose parents received an early morning call from Chase encouraging them to arrive in Gainesville by 2 p.m. for a special ceremony. “The last few days have been pretty overwhelming. I'm not used to this kind of attention, so I'm a little ready for it to all end, to be honest, but I'm so grateful to everyone. It's all amazing.”
And just to top it off?
“We're in the Final Four,” he said. “It's all a dream come true.”
Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu
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