UF’s 7-1 Micah Handlogten forgoes redshirt, rejoins Gators

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GAINESVILLE — No. 5 Florida may nonetheless welcome again 7-foot-1 heart Micah Handlogten for what may very well be a deep postseason run by the Gators.

Handlogten was poised to forego his medical redshirt, taken due to a extreme leg damage suffered throughout the 2024 SEC Event, and make his season debug throughout Saturday’s go to from Georgia.

He then had a change of coronary heart and determined to sit down out.

“It’s very emotional choice,” coach Todd Golden stated. “He had sort of gotten himself to the purpose the place he was prepared. He truly had a terrific apply (Friday). And as he continued to consider it, he simply had some second ideas.”

Following the Gators’ 89-59 win towards the Bulldogs, Golden didn’t rule out something as his crew ready to take every week off earlier than a Feb. 1 go to to Tennessee.

“It’s going to be fluid,” he stated. “I’d say he’s in all probability out, however he may get up tomorrow and name me and say, ‘Hey, man, that appears enjoyable. Let’s get on the market subsequent Saturday.’

“We’re gonna let him create his personal timeline for returning, whether or not that’s subsequent week or subsequent yr. It’s actually going to be as much as him.”

Handlogten initially deliberate to sit down out the 2024-25 season to hone his recreation and his physique. However he practiced with the Gators for the previous a number of weeks, main him to conclude he may bolster the Gators’ inside recreation throughout what’s shaping as much as be this system’s finest season in years.

UF (18-2, 5-2 SEC) is off to its finest begin for the reason that 2014 Remaining 4 squad went 35-2 earlier than dropping to UConn within the nationwide semifinals. Handlogten, who turned 21 Dec. 17, with be part of a quartet of submit gamers with expertise however missing consistency.

Throughout a 70-69 come-from-behind win at South Carolina, UF beginning heart Rueben Chinyelu and reserve ahead Thomas Haugh managed simply 2 factors every whereas reserve ahead Sam Alexis performed simply seven minutes. The Gamecocks held a 36-31 rebounding edge towards a Florida squad among the many nation’s chief in rebounding margin at plus-10.9.

“Our entrance court docket wasn’t at its finest the opposite evening,” Golden stated. “However they’ve additionally been an enormous purpose as to why we’ve been as profitable as we’ve got. It’s tough to be wonderful each evening.”

Towards Georgia, although, Haugh 13 factors and 11 rebounds for his second profession double-double whereas fellow sophomore ahead Alex Condon added 14 factors and eight boards.

“He’s a monster,” veteran guard Alijah Martin stated of Haugh.

Handlogten could be one himself.

He was among the many nation’s high offensive rebounders in 2023-24, averaging 3.3. as Florida ranked third nationally with a mean of 14.64. He averaged 5.3 factors and 6.9 complete rebounds in 32 begins, together with 29 blocked photographs.

UF heart Micah Handlogten (3) anticipates the win throughout the second half towards Missouri final season in Gainesville.  (AP Photograph/Alan Youngblood, File)

However Handlogten suffered a compound fracture of his decrease left leg when he landed awkwardly on a rebound try towards Auburn. Golden attended to him as he held the Gators’ heart put his palms over his face.

Handlogten’s mother and father quickly made their solution to the court docket to see their son taken away on a stretcher along with his leg in an air forged. Medical doctors at at close by Vanderbilt College Medical Middle inserted a rod and two screws.

“He’s had an unimaginable restoration, and he was prepared in all probability a little bit earlier than he anticipated,” Golden stated.

Handlogten rejoined the Gators days after the damage for the NCAA Event in Indianapolis, the place he watched Florida fall 102-100 within the opening spherical towards Colorado as 6-foot-11, 265-pound Eddie Lampkin scored 21 factors and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Hanglogten has been on the bench cheering the present Gators’ quick begin, however nonetheless has time to hitch the enjoyable.

“We weren’t pressuring him into this choice,” Golden stated. “That is one thing that we informed him it’s as much as him when he desires to return again. He was actually excited concerning the thought of enjoying. After which as soon as it turned actual, he simply had some extra ideas about it.”

Edgar Thompson could be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

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