Florida's Micah Handlogten stretchered off the court after scary leg injury in SEC Tournament title game
Florida center Micah Handlogten went down with a severe left leg injury only two and a half minutes into the SEC Tournament Championship. Handlogten was fighting for a rebound against Auburn before crashing to the floor, unable to get back to his feet.
Handlogten was taken off the floor on a stretcher. The broadcast did not show a replay of his injury, which reportedly was gruesome. His parents came down on the court to support him. While Florida players consoled their teammate, Auburn players gathered in prayer.
Handlogten recorded two rebounds before leaving the game. In Florida’s first three games in the SEC Tournament, the 7-foot-1 sophomore averaged 13 minutes per contest. ESPN’s Marty Smith provided fans with an update over the broadcast.
“They stabilized his lower left leg with what appeared to be an air cast type of contraption then some straps, as well as some towels and they’re cleaning up the floor now,” Smith said. “I did see some blood.
“I don’t know yet the extent of the injury but every one of Micah Handlogten’s teammates came over. Coach Todd Golden was right there beside him talking to him right in his ear to try to calm Handlogten down.”
Only a few minutes later, Smith provided more details on Handlogten’s injury.
“I’ve got an update from the team,” Smith said. “It’s is a confirmed lower leg injury, that’s the extent of what we know now. But Handlogten is now on the way to Vanderbilt for further evaluation.”
Micah Handlogten has made major contributions
Handlogten averaged 5.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game this season while shooting an efficient 62.2% from the floor. Handlogten transferred to Florida this season after spending his freshman campaign at Marshall.
In his lone season at Marshall, Handlogten started all 32 games and averaged 7.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocked shots, 1.3 steals and 1.2 assists while shooting 66% from the field. He ranked 11th in the nation in blocked shots per game and was named the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year.
Golden was thrilled to add Handlogten to the roster ahead of the 2023-24 season.
“He’s a proven rim protector, rebounder, and rim finisher and we believe he has the capacity to expand his game – specifically on the offensive end. He’s a great young man from a great family and is a great match for the culture we are continuing to build within our program,” Golden said.