Coming into the 2024/25 season, the odds Micah Handlogten playing for Florida Basketball were low. After breaking his leg in the SEC title game last year against Auburn, the original plan for Handlogten was to redshirt the season.
Even earlier last month, when rumors started to surface that Handlogten could come back this year, those rumors got pushed back as Handlogten just wasn't ready. He has been practicing with the team but coming back to game action was a different hurdle to cross.
But with an injury to Alex Condon, combined with the very real chance of a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, Handlogten had opted to burn his redshirt and will be returning against South Carolina.
Handlogten made the announcement with a play on Michael Jordan by simply saying, "I'm back."
Listed at 7'1", the North Carolina native played 65 games during his time in Gainesville. Last year, he averaged 5.3 points per game while contributing 6.9 rebounds per game. He had a career-high 23 points in an overtime win over Georgia last season.
Handlogten adds to the deep group of big men Todd Golden has been able to employ in 2024/25. The Gators are 7th in the nation in offensive rebounding percentage and are 39th in block percentage. His return should help alleviate some of the pressure on Sam Alexis, especially if Condon has to miss any extended time due to his ankle sprain.
Florida is off to a 21-3 start to their season and is currently ranked 3rd in the AP Poll.