Florida center Micah Handlogten is ready to return from the broken left leg sustained in last year’s Southeastern Conference championship game.

The 7-foot-1 junior said on Friday that he plans to join the third-ranked Gators (21-3, 8-3 SEC) for Saturday’s game against South Carolina (10-14, 0-11) in Gainesville, Fla.

“I’m back,” Handlogten said. “I’m ready to get out and hoop for the Gators.”

Handlogten initially planned to redshirt this season after having a rod and two screws inserted into his leg following his gruesome injury during Florida’s 86-67 loss to Auburn on March 17.

By returning now, Handlogten can help Florida weather ankle injuries to starting big man Alex Condon and backup forward Sam Alexis.

Handlogten averaged 5.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in 33 games (32 starts) during his first season with the Gators in 2023-24. He transferred to Florida after posting 7.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 32 games (all starts) at Marshall in 2022-23.

–Field Level Media