Gators’ Handlogten returning after ’24 leg break
Feb 14, 2025, 01:21 PM ET Florida center Micah Handlogten, who gruesomely broke his left leg in the SEC championship game in March, is going back to the court.Handlogten revealed Friday that he chose to forgo a redshirt and play this season, beginning Saturday versus South Carolina.The 7-foot-1 junior will assist the third-ranked Gators(21-3,
8-3 SEC)deal with the loss of starter Alex Condon, who is anticipated to miss a minimum of a week with a sprained right ankle. Backup Sam Alexis likewise is sidelined with a sprained left ankle.”I’m prepared to get out and hoop for the Gators,” Handlogten stated.
Micah Handlogten, who broke his leg in the first half of the SEC tournament championship game in March 2024, is returning to action for the Gators. Christopher Hanewinckel/USA Today Sports Handlogten has actually been cleared for more than a month, and coach Todd Golden has stated consistently that Handlogten would have final say in whether he plays this season or waits on the next one. Handlogten at first planned to return three weeks ago but altered his mind hours before a home game.He started participating in team activities in December and can regularly be found dunking in pregame warmups.
He would offer a boost for an unskilled frontcourt that has been bossed around sometimes this season and is now down two guys.Handlogten has a distinct skill set in the post.The North Carolina native has totaled 419 points, 544 rebounds and 104 blocked shots in 2
collegiate seasons, one at Marshall and one at Florida. His 108 offending rebounds last season were the 2nd most in school history.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Handlogten balanced 5.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game with the Gators in 2023-24 before his season ended quickly in the SEC tournament.He landed awkwardly on his left foot while going for
a rebound versus Auburn. He instantly fell to the court in pain and rolled onto his side, putting his hands to his face. Handlogten’s parents were accompanied onto the court to be by his side.
Handlogten’s leg was supported in an air cast before he was placed on a backboard and removed the court on a stretcher.He had a rod and 2 screws placed into his leg at Vanderbilt University Medical Center but managed to rejoin the team for the NCAA tournament in Indianapolis a couple of days later. The Gators lost to Colorado in the opening round with Handlogten watching from behind the bench.Handlogten has actually been a cheerleader through 24 games this season, typically leading the bench in organized celebrations and pregame pageantry.His return will permit him to play together with friends and senior citizens Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard. More notably, it would leave Florida pressing all-in on trying to win a champion with its skilled and deep lineup.