Florida basketball center Micah Handlogten in good spirits at March Madness, determined to play again next season

INDIANAPOLIS -- Florida basketball center Micah Handlogten was back where he wanted to be, watching NCAA Tournament games with his teammates in the locker room before UF's open workout at the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

The 7-foot-1 Handlogten said he's determined to return to the court again next season for the Florida Gators and overwhelmed by the support he's received from friends and college basketball fans throughout the country.

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Handlogten suffered a compound fracture of his lower left leg in Sunday's SEC Tournament finals against Auburn. He underwent surgery to repair the fracture at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and drove up with parents on Thursday.

"It's amazing just like a boost of happiness," Handlogten said. "Having these guys here to support me is just amazing."

Handlogten wore a bandage that stretched close the full length of his leg and sat in a wheelchair as he interacted with teammates and watched UF's open workout at Gainbridge Field House. His sister flew in from Atlanta to Nashville for the surgery and has served as a de facto nurse this week. Handlogten's parents, Ben and Danielle also have been there for their son every step of the way. They drove him up from Nashville to Indianapolis for the tournament.

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Recoveries from compound fracture surgeries can vary. It took NBA standout Paul George two years to return to the court when he suffered the same injury in 2014. But Handlogten said he's determined to come back and play next season.

"Already I'm doing as much rehab stuff as I can, what (trainer Dave) Duke (Werner) tells me to do," Handlogten said. "Right now, it's like ankle circles and bending my leg as much as I can. It's small but it's progress. That's the way I have to look at it, one day at a time."

Handlogten said his father Ben, who underwent several leg surgeries during his NBA and overseas professional career, also has served as a resource.

"He also got (surgery) on his left knee," Handlogten said. "So not exactly the same injury but the same like area of your body. So, he's been able to help me what I can do to help like lessen the pain and like simple stuff such as movement to keep the swelling down."

Florida basketball center Micah Handlogten appreciating support

Handlogten said he was touched by Auburn's video message wishing him support on Wednesday. He also received a bag of get-well letters from Gainesville elementary school classmates of UF head coach Todd Golden's two children.

"Already been swarmed with like DMs, text messages, tweets, all kinds of just messages offering me support and prayer," Handlogten.

Handlogten is staying at the team hotel and will attend Friday's game between 7-seed Florida and 10-seed Colorado. It hasn't been determined yet whether Handlogten will sit on the bench, but even if he does, he would likely be in a second row shielded by teammates to protect players on the court from potentially crashing into him.

Regardless, Handlogten said he'd like to be as close to the action as possible on Friday.

"I mean, these are my boys," Handlogten said. "I'm there to support them. Wherever I am, I'm going to be the loudest cheerer out there."