Florida basketball freshman forward Alex Condon gets first career start in March Madness

INDIANAPOLIS — Florida basketball forward Alex Condon has played starters' minutes throughout his freshman season at UF.

But Condon will make his first career start on a substantial stage on Friday when the 7-seed Florida Gators (24-11) open NCAA Tournament play against 10-seed Colorado (25-10) at Gainbridge Field House (4:30 p.m., TBS).

The 6-11 Condon (7.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg), who earned SEC all-freshman honors, will start in place of Micah Handlogten, who is out for the season with a fractured left lower leg.

"It's a great opportunity," Condon said. "It's unfortunate circumstances, but I think I'm ready to go, and I'm playing with a high level of confidence in the moment, so I think I'm ready."

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Florida basketball coach Todd Golden said he could have chosen Condon or 6-foot-9 forward Tommy Haugh to replace Handlogten in the starting lineup. Golden decided to start Condon based on his size next to UF 6-foot-10 starting forward Tyrese Samuel to match up with Colorado. The Buffaloes will start 6-foot-11, 265-pound center Eddie Lampkin and 6-foot-9 forward Tristian Da Silva.

"They're almost interchangeable," Golden said of Condon and Haugh. "We played them both an average of 20 minutes all year. Different games, different guys have stepped up and given us huge lifts. We're very confident in all of them."

Without Handlogten, though, a four-player post rotation becomes a three-player post rotation. Condon is aware it will be important to stay away from foul trouble while maintaining a physical mindset on defense.

"It's definitely an emphasis of us not to give away, like, silly fouls," Condon said.

How Alex Condon has performed for Florida basketball as a freshman

From Perth, Australia, the 230-pound Condon entered basketball with an Australian Rules Football background before attending Australia's NBA Global Academy. He's shown an ability to mix it up inside while posting a team-high 43 blocked shots.

On offense, Condon has shown good touch around the basket (46.5% from the field) with an ability to extend his shooting range out to the 3-point line (11-for-27, 29.7%).

What Condon said he's learned his most in his freshman year playing college basketball is to trust the work that you put in.

"If you have a bad game, just keep that positive mindset," Condon said. "It's your first year, you are going to have some low moments, but keep your head straight and keep working hard for sure."

Condon said his one of his cousins will attend his first career starts, but his parents were unable to get a flight from Australia for the game. He expects them to watch from Down Under via online streaming of the NCAA Tournament.

"I think they will stay up and watch," Condon said. " You know, it's about 12 hours' time difference, so it switches over. I think they will make the effort to watch."