Florida center Micah Handlogten underwent surgery to repair his fractured left leg on Sunday after he suffered the injury in the first few minutes of the team’s SEC championship game against Auburn.
Despite needing recovery time after the two-hour procedure, Handlogten fully intends on traveling to Indianapolis for Florida’s first round NCAA tournament game against the winner of the First Four matchup between Colorado and Boise St. on Friday.
The sophomore’s surgery took place in Nashville, where the SEC tournament was held, so he and his parents will drive four hours to Indianapolis to watch his teammates compete in the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years.
On Sunday, it seemed rather unlikely for Handlogten to attend Friday’s game as he was stretchered off the court in a horrifying scene. But, just one day after the gruesome injury, Handlogten was already done dwelling on the situation.
“This is not a setback. This is an opportunity,” Handlogten said, via Florida’s team page.
Handlogten’s recovery is expected to take around eight to 10 months.
Before exiting Sunday’s game, Handlogten averaged 5.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in 33 games this season.
