Micah Handlogten of Florida is making his comeback from a broken leg, just as the 3rd-ranked Gators need him

Florida center Micah Handlogten, who severely broke his left leg during the Southeastern Conference championship game last March, is set to return to the court.

Handlogten announced on Friday that he decided to skip the redshirt option and play this season, starting Saturday against South Carolina. The 7-foot-1 junior will help the third-ranked Gators (21-3, 8-3 Southeastern Conference) after the team lost starter Alex Condon, who is expected to be out for a week or two due to a sprained right ankle, and backup Sam Alexis (left ankle).

“It’s the time that the team needs me, and I’ve been ready to play,” Handlogten said. “I’ve had some hesitation in the past, but I’ve moved on past that and I’m ready to get out there and hoop for the Gators.”

Handlogten has been cleared to play for more than a month, and coach Todd Golden has said that Handlogten would make the final decision about whether he would play this season or wait until next year. Handlogten had originally planned to return three weeks ago, but he changed his mind just hours before a home game against Georgia.

“I kind of just had some hesitations when it came to that,” he said. “I’ve just been able to get a lot more confident in myself, and I’ve been playing really well in practice, and I think I’m ready.”

Handlogten began participating in team activities in December and has been dunking during pregame warmups. His return will help strengthen an inexperienced frontcourt that has been pushed around at times this season — and is now missing two players.

“It’s been a tricky time for him,” Golden said. “I know he’s kind of been itching to get out there. I know it’s been an emotional recovery. Physically, he was ahead of the mental recovery of this, which is normal.

“Micah is one of the most unselfish guys I’ve ever been around. He’s always worried about the team and the program. I think he saw another opportunity where he could really help and become a physical part of this as we move forward.”

Handlogten brings a special skillset to the post.

The North Carolina native totaled 419 points, 544 rebounds, and 104 blocked shots over two collegiate seasons, one at Marshall and one at Florida. His 108 offensive rebounds last season were the second-most in school history.

Handlogten averaged 5.9 points and 6.3 rebounds with the Gators in 2023-24 before his season ended suddenly during the SEC Tournament.

He landed awkwardly on his left foot while going for a rebound against Auburn. He immediately fell to the court in pain, rolling onto his side and putting his hands to his face. Handlogten’s parents were escorted onto the court to be with him. His leg was stabilized in an air cast before he was taken off the court on a stretcher.

He had a rod and two screws inserted into his leg at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but he still managed to join the team for the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis a few days later. The Gators lost to Colorado in the first round, with Handlogten watching from behind the bench.

This season, he’s been a 7-foot cheerleader, often leading the bench in celebrations and pregame activities.

His return will allow him to play alongside his close friends and seniors Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard. More importantly, it gives Florida a strong chance at competing for a championship with its talented and deep roster.

“The great thing is he’s been practicing and has been healthy for a while,” Golden said. “It’s not like he just cleared Monday and we just got him out there. He’s been going since December. We’ll see how it goes.

“If he’s looking good and feeling good, he’ll play a lot of minutes (Saturday) night. If he’s looking fatigued, we’ll pull him back that way. But I’m not going to put a cap on him for the game.”