NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Florida heart Micah Handlogten broke his decrease left leg within the opening minutes of the Southeastern Convention Event ultimate Sunday and was taken off the court docket on a stretcher to a hospital.
Coach Todd Golden, who knelt over his participant whereas Handlogten laid on the court docket, mentioned he felt for the younger heart after the Gators misplaced 86-67 to No. 12 Auburn.
“You simply hate to see it for him as a result of he does every thing the appropriate method and works arduous,” mentioned Golden as he fought to manage his feelings postgame. “That’s an excellent fluky harm that you simply don’t see fairly often on this sport. Taking part in a big-time sport like this, to exit that method, I simply really feel for him.”
Golden additionally thanked the medical employees from Florida, Auburn and the SEC for the fast response treating Handlogten., who was taken to Vanderbilt College Medical Middle.
Danielle Handlogten posted on social media later Sunday that her son was “out of surgical procedure and is anticipated to have a full restoration,” and despatched thanks “for the love and help of the Herd household.”
Handlogten had two rebounds in two minutes and was making an attempt to return down with a 3rd when he landed awkwardly on his left foot. He instantly went down in ache and rolled onto his aspect, placing his palms to his face.
The sound of bone apparently breaking might be heard on TV with blood instantly seen on the again of his calf.
Play continued as Aden Holloway took a go and completed a layup on the opposite finish for No. 12 Auburn. Play then stopped as trainers rushed out to are likely to Handlogten, and everybody inside Bridgestone Area went silent.
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl famous gamers from each groups returned to their benches and prayed. The Tigers’ pastor had tears in his eyes as a result of he got here to Auburn from Marshall and knew each Handlogten and his household.
“That’s the SEC,” Pearl mentioned.
Handlogten’s mother and father had been delivered to the court docket from their seats within the stands. His mom, Danielle, carrying his No. 3 jersey, kneeled close to his head as her son was handled on the court docket together with his father, Ben, shut by.
They stood collectively as Handlogten’s leg was positioned inside an air forged earlier than he was positioned on a backboard, then lifted onto a stretcher. Teammates came to visit to him as Handlogten was taken off the court docket. Fellow sophomore Riley Kugel might be seen crying on the Florida bench.
Golden tried to make use of halftime to assist his Gators refocus as they trailed 38-30.
The 7-foot-1 Handlogten ranked eleventh nationally, averaging 2.3 photographs blocked per sport at Marshall the place he was the Solar Belt Convention freshman of the yr. He transferred to Florida, and the native of Huntersville, North Carolina, began 22 of 33 video games together with Sunday’s event ultimate.
Handlogten got here into this sport ranked fourth nationally in offensive rebounding proportion. Ahead Tyrese Samuel mentioned Handlogten is so priceless to the Gators they usually tried to focus with a SEC title on the road.
“Dropping him actually type of affected us,” Samuel mentioned. ”We’re going to go on the market subsequent week and carry on taking part in for him.”
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AP faculty basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball