Latest news with #Handlogten
NBC Sports
11-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Florida's Micah Handlogten anticipates an emotional return to Nashville and the SEC tourney
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida center Micah Handlogten might bring a box of thank-you cards to the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Or flowers. Or candy. Or some other token of appreciation. After all, Handlogten owes so much to so many who helped him in the minutes, hours and days after he gruesomely broke his left leg in the SEC tourney finale a year ago. Now fully recovered and back on the court for the fourth-ranked Gators, Handlogten returns to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, for the first time since leaving on a gurney. 'I try not to think about it too much, just try to focus on the task at hand,' Handlogten said. 'Obviously it's going to be different to be back. It's going to be emotional to start. I'm there for one thing: that's to win games, and that's the goal at the end of the day.' Florida (27-4, 14-4 SEC) is the No. 2 seed in the 16-team field and will play Missouri, Mississippi State or LSU. The Gators, who won nine of their last 10 to close out the regular season, probably need to win at least one game in the league bracket to secure a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The stakes alone should have Florida ready. The venue should make it more meaningful for Handlogten. The 7-foot-1 junior landed awkwardly on his left foot while chasing a rebound in the opening minutes of the championship game against Auburn on March 17, 2024. He immediately crashed to the court in agony and rolled onto his side, placing his hands over his face. Coaches, athletic trainers and then paramedics rushed to help. They covered his bleeding leg with a towel. As they worked to stabilize his leg in an air cast, his parents were escorted onto the court to be by his side. Handlogten was eventually placed on a backboard and taken off on a stretcher. Players hustled over to offer support before he was whisked to a waiting ambulance. Handlogten underwent surgery a short time later at nearby Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He had a rod and two screws inserted into his leg — but still managed to rejoin the team for the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis a few days later. The Gators lost to Colorado in the opening round with Handlogten watching from behind the bench. 'I couldn't really ask for better surgeons and staff there to help me through everything,' he said. 'But going back there, I'm not really going to think about it as much as people would think. I'm just going to focus on winning games.' Nonetheless, Handlogten hinted at taking time to visit doctors, nurses and paramedics who were there for him a year ago. His journey back came with a twist. After spending nine months rehabbing — he welcomed an extra 20 pounds of muscle — Handlogten decided to forgo a medical redshirt and rejoin the team in February. He waffled for weeks, but with fellow big men Alex Condon and Sam Alexis sidelined with ankle injuries, Handlogten jumped at the chance to play again. 'We have a special team,' Handlogten said. 'We really have a shot to go all the way. And I got excited about that, and I think that played a huge role in it because I want to be out there with my boys. They were with me through thick and thin throughout my recovery process. 'There's been hardships, but they've helped me through that, and I see this as a way to help them get to where they want to be and where I want to be — and that's national championship contenders. We have ourselves in a very good position to be that.' Handlogten has 39 rebounds, 17 points, 11 assists, seven steals and six blocked shots in seven games. He's provided Florida with even more front-court depth behind Condon, Rueben Chinyelu and sixth man Thomas Haugh. 'He's just such a luxury to have back and just shows how much of a winning player someone can be without scoring a lot,' Florida coach Todd Golden said. 'His ability to get his hands on balls on the offensive glass and keep plays alive and create second chances for us. 'I'm thrilled for us that he's back, but I'm also really happy for him that he's able to go out there and have some really good success and be able to be part of it with his teammates.'
Washington Post
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Florida's Micah Handlogten anticipates an emotional return to Nashville and the SEC tourney
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida center Micah Handlogten might bring a box of thank-you cards to the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Or flowers. Or candy. Or some other token of appreciation. After all, Handlogten owes so much to so many who helped him in the minutes, hours and days after he gruesomely broke his left leg in the SEC tourney finale a year ago.
Fox Sports
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Florida's Micah Handlogten anticipates an emotional return to Nashville and the SEC tourney
Associated Press GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida center Micah Handlogten might bring a box of thank-you cards to the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Or flowers. Or candy. Or some other token of appreciation. After all, Handlogten owes so much to so many who helped him in the minutes, hours and days after he gruesomely broke his left leg in the SEC tourney finale a year ago. Now fully recovered and back on the court for the fourth-ranked Gators, Handlogten returns to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, for the first time since leaving on a gurney. 'I try not to think about it too much, just try to focus on the task at hand,' Handlogten said. 'Obviously it's going to be different to be back. It's going to be emotional to start. I'm there for one thing: that's to win games, and that's the goal at the end of the day.' Florida (27-4, 14-4 SEC) is the No. 2 seed in the 16-team field and will play Missouri, Mississippi State or LSU on Friday. The Gators, who won nine of their last 10 to close out the regular season, probably need to win at least one game in the league bracket to secure a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The stakes alone should have Florida ready. The venue should make it more meaningful for Handlogten. The 7-foot-1 junior landed awkwardly on his left foot while chasing a rebound in the opening minutes of the championship game against Auburn on March 17, 2024. He immediately crashed to the court in agony and rolled onto his side, placing his hands over his face. Coaches, athletic trainers and then paramedics rushed to help. They covered his bleeding leg with a towel. As they worked to stabilize his leg in an air cast, his parents were escorted onto the court to be by his side. Handlogten was eventually placed on a backboard and taken off on a stretcher. Players hustled over to offer support before he was whisked to a waiting ambulance. Handlogten underwent surgery a short time later at nearby Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He had a rod and two screws inserted into his leg — but still managed to rejoin the team for the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis a few days later. The Gators lost to Colorado in the opening round with Handlogten watching from behind the bench. 'I couldn't really ask for better surgeons and staff there to help me through everything,' he said. 'But going back there, I'm not really going to think about it as much as people would think. I'm just going to focus on winning games.' Nonetheless, Handlogten hinted at taking time to visit doctors, nurses and paramedics who were there for him a year ago. His journey back came with a twist. After spending nine months rehabbing — he welcomed an extra 20 pounds of muscle — Handlogten decided to forgo a medical redshirt and rejoin the team in February. He waffled for weeks, but with fellow big men Alex Condon and Sam Alexis sidelined with ankle injuries, Handlogten jumped at the chance to play again. 'We have a special team,' Handlogten said. 'We really have a shot to go all the way. And I got excited about that, and I think that played a huge role in it because I want to be out there with my boys. They were with me through thick and thin throughout my recovery process. 'There's been hardships, but they've helped me through that, and I see this as a way to help them get to where they want to be and where I want to be — and that's national championship contenders. We have ourselves in a very good position to be that.' Handlogten has 39 rebounds, 17 points, 11 assists, seven steals and six blocked shots in seven games. He's provided Florida with even more front-court depth behind Condon, Rueben Chinyelu and sixth man Thomas Haugh. 'He's just such a luxury to have back and just shows how much of a winning player someone can be without scoring a lot,' Florida coach Todd Golden said. 'His ability to get his hands on balls on the offensive glass and keep plays alive and create second chances for us. 'I'm thrilled for us that he's back, but I'm also really happy for him that he's able to go out there and have some really good success and be able to be part of it with his teammates.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: and recommended
Associated Press
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Florida's Micah Handlogten anticipates an emotional return to Nashville and the SEC tourney
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida center Micah Handlogten might bring a box of thank-you cards to the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Or flowers. Or candy. Or some other token of appreciation. After all, Handlogten owes so much to so many who helped him in the minutes, hours and days after he gruesomely broke his left leg in the SEC tourney finale a year ago. Now fully recovered and back on the court for the fourth-ranked Gators, Handlogten returns to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, for the first time since leaving on a gurney. 'I try not to think about it too much, just try to focus on the task at hand,' Handlogten said. 'Obviously it's going to be different to be back. It's going to be emotional to start. I'm there for one thing: that's to win games, and that's the goal at the end of the day.' Florida (27-4, 14-4 SEC) is the No. 2 seed in the 16-team field and will play Missouri, Mississippi State or LSU on Friday. The Gators, who won nine of their last 10 to close out the regular season, probably need to win at least one game in the league bracket to secure a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The stakes alone should have Florida ready. The venue should make it more meaningful for Handlogten. The 7-foot-1 junior landed awkwardly on his left foot while chasing a rebound in the opening minutes of the championship game against Auburn on March 17, 2024. He immediately crashed to the court in agony and rolled onto his side, placing his hands over his face. Coaches, athletic trainers and then paramedics rushed to help. They covered his bleeding leg with a towel. As they worked to stabilize his leg in an air cast, his parents were escorted onto the court to be by his side. Handlogten was eventually placed on a backboard and taken off on a stretcher. Players hustled over to offer support before he was whisked to a waiting ambulance. Handlogten underwent surgery a short time later at nearby Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He had a rod and two screws inserted into his leg — but still managed to rejoin the team for the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis a few days later. The Gators lost to Colorado in the opening round with Handlogten watching from behind the bench. 'I couldn't really ask for better surgeons and staff there to help me through everything,' he said. 'But going back there, I'm not really going to think about it as much as people would think. I'm just going to focus on winning games.' Nonetheless, Handlogten hinted at taking time to visit doctors, nurses and paramedics who were there for him a year ago. His journey back came with a twist. After spending nine months rehabbing — he welcomed an extra 20 pounds of muscle — Handlogten decided to forgo a medical redshirt and rejoin the team in February. He waffled for weeks, but with fellow big men Alex Condon and Sam Alexis sidelined with ankle injuries, Handlogten jumped at the chance to play again. 'We have a special team,' Handlogten said. 'We really have a shot to go all the way. And I got excited about that, and I think that played a huge role in it because I want to be out there with my boys. They were with me through thick and thin throughout my recovery process. 'There's been hardships, but they've helped me through that, and I see this as a way to help them get to where they want to be and where I want to be — and that's national championship contenders. We have ourselves in a very good position to be that.' Handlogten has 39 rebounds, 17 points, 11 assists, seven steals and six blocked shots in seven games. He's provided Florida with even more front-court depth behind Condon, Rueben Chinyelu and sixth man Thomas Haugh. 'He's just such a luxury to have back and just shows how much of a winning player someone can be without scoring a lot,' Florida coach Todd Golden said. 'His ability to get his hands on balls on the offensive glass and keep plays alive and create second chances for us. 'I'm thrilled for us that he's back, but I'm also really happy for him that he's able to go out there and have some really good success and be able to be part of it with his teammates.'
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida basketball uses strong second half, to blowout South Carolina
Florida basketball uses strong second half, to blowout South Carolina It took about half the game to pull away, but No. 3 Florida took down South Carolina, 88-67, on Saturday night. The Gators played without at least one starter for a fourth consecutive game, as projected first-round draft pick and forward Alex Condon sat on the bench with a sprained ankle. The good news is that guard Alijah Martin returned to action, as did center Micah Handlogten, who suffered a broken leg in the SEC Championship Game last season. Both came off the bench and played significant minutes. Denzel Aberdeen and Thomas Haugh moved into the starting lineup and made the most of the opportunity. Aberdeen led all scorers with a career-high 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting and went 5-of-7 from 3-point range over 30 minutes. Haugh finished the night with 20 points and six rebounds. Both players recorded three assists. The scoring from Aberdeen and Haugh made the difference as Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard only combined for 18 points. Despite the unusual down night from Florida's top guards — Martin had 11 off the bench — Florida led by double digits for most of the second half. It's an expected win over a South Carolina team that is now 0-12 in SEC play, but things stayed close until the break. Here are three major takeaways from Saturday's win. Denzel Aberdeen coming into his own Aberdeen was the odd man out in the guard rotation at the start of the season, but he's matured throughout the season and stepped up big in the wake of injuries to Clayton and Martin. He's become comfortable as a key cog in the system and seems to embrace the role of unsung hero. Over the last four games, he's averaging 16 points and is shooting above 50% from beyond the arc. He's a reliable scoring option and should retain the confidence built over the past two weeks when he returns to the sixth-man role. It's nice enough to see a player find his role on a team full of superstar talent, but there's a unique magnifying glass on Aberdeen. He's the only guard who plays significant minutes with another year of eligibility, and now he looks like he can run the show in Gainesville alongside Isaiah Brown and Urban Klavzar. The Gators could always bring in a guard from the transfer portal to bolster the backcourt, but Aberdeen feels like a 2025-26 starter given the steps forward he's taken. Welcome back, Micah Handlogten When a player snaps his leg in half mid-game, the hope is simply that he will one day return to the court. Handlogten has already exceeded expectations, healing up in less than year and burning his medical redshirt to help Florida win down the stretch. Before the injury, Handlogten was evolving into one of the better big men in the SEC, and he showed flashes of being that same player Saturday night. A defensive juggernaut, Handlogten got right back to business, blocking two shots and recording two steals. He only recorded three rebounds, perhaps playing a bit less aggressively as he finds his footing, but there was no fear when diving for a loose ball. He also added five assists, which is unique in Florida's frontcourt. There's still rust to shake off, but Handlogten looks like he can be a factor almost immediately for Florida, especially once Condon returns. He played 20 minutes on Saturday, three more minutes than starter Rueben Chinyelu. This might be the best team in the country Plenty of experts have suggested that Florida could be the best team in the country. The Gators have earned first-place votes in the AP Top 25 Poll and are currently projected as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Anything short of a Final Four run may feel like a disappointment, assuming everyone is healthy come March. It was Handlogten's injury that broke the team last year and led to a first-round exit in the Big Dance, but now there's a considerable amount of depth on the roster and the team is working through adversity. Knocking off two No. 1 programs has the nation paying attention to the Orange and Blue, and they're right to. Florida is dominant on both ends of the court, dangerous in transition and getting deeper as a roster day by day. The sky's the limit for this roster, and Saturday's second-half blowout says everything is pointing in the right direction. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
