Junior center Micah Handlogten has put on 25 pounds since he was 230-pound sophomore last year.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On Friday afternoon at the UF Women’s Club, Micah Handlogten made a surprise appearance during a small basketball media session. Taking the microphone, he delivered two words that could reshape Florida’s season.
"I'm back," he said.
At a time when Florida is dealing with injuries, the team has gained a major boost with the addition of 7-foot-1, 255-pound center Micah Handlogten back into the rotation. Last season, Handlogten averaged 5.3 points on 62.2 percent shooting and 6.9 rebounds in 19 minutes per game before breaking his leg in the Southeastern Conference Tournament. He will make his 2024-25 season debut Saturday night when the third-ranked Gators (21-3, 8-3) host South Carolina (10-14, 0-11) at Exactech Arena/O’Connell Center.
"Micah is one of the most unselfish guys I've ever been around. He's always worried about the team and the program, and I think he saw another opportunity where he could really help and become a physical part of this as we move forward," UF coach Todd Golden said about two hours after learning of Handlogten’s choice. "He missed out on playing in the [NCAA] Tournament last year. He was tracking on missing out with what this season was going to be. He deserves more than that. He was a big part of getting our program where it is today and I think he'll continue to help us get even better the rest of the year. It's a huge lift from us."
The original plan was for Micah Handlogten to sit out the 2024-25 season, preserving two years of eligibility. However, circumstances shifted for both him and the team. Florida lost starting sophomore forward Alex Condon (10.6 points, 7.8 rebounds per game) and reserve forward Sam Alexis to ankle injuries during Tuesday night’s win at Mississippi State, leaving the Gators short-handed in the frontcourt as the SEC season enters its final stretch.
About three weeks ago, Handlogten considered returning midseason but hesitated over the long-term impact of sacrificing a full year of eligibility.
"I'd be lying if I said that wasn't part of it," Handlogten said.
The turning point came after watching his teammates pull off upsets against No. 1 Auburn and No. 22 Mississippi State, while seeing Condon and Alexis sidelined in walking boots. Following discussions with his family, Handlogten made the decision Friday morning to return.
"I think the sky's the limit when everybody gets healthy," Handlogten said of his team. "I literally think we can win the national championship."
In short: Florida is all-in.
Micah Handlogten will trade in the sweatsuit he's been wearing on the UF bench all season and be in full uniform Saturday night against South Carolina.
"It's been a tricky time for him. I know he's been itching to get out there," Golden said. "Physically, he was ahead of the mental recovery, which is normal. I think the physical recovery was about as good as it could possibly be, with no setbacks, and being able to get back on the floor as quickly as he did, to play five-on-five as quickly as he did."
Golden stressed that the decision ultimately had to come from Handlogten himself. The Florida staff and players — still shaken by the severe compound fracture he suffered in the SEC championship game on March 17 — were committed to supporting him no matter what, fully aware of the challenges he endured during rehab and the risk of losing nearly a full season of eligibility.
In the end, Handlogten carefully considered the trade-offs, and Florida gained an unexpected boost as a result.
"He's been through a lot the past year, but the way he's handled it, seeing only a smile on his face, we're so very proud of him, very happy that his stuff went well," junior guard Denzel Aberdeen said. "Just very excited for him to be back."
Florida entered the day ranked No. 7 nationally in offensive rebounding. A season ago, Micah Handlogten started 33 of 34 games and finished as the No. 4 offensive rebounder in the country, collecting 17.9 percent of his team’s missed shots and leading the SEC at 15.9 percent. His knack for crashing the boards from the weak side and keeping possessions alive with tips is expected to provide even more opportunities for an offense currently ranked No. 4 in overall efficiency.
"It's not every day you can add a starting-level SEC player this time of the year," Golden said. "Let's be honest, it's probably going to take him some time to get back to his full self out there, but the great thing is the physical piece is there and he's been playing pretty well."
By mid-afternoon, the Gators were deep into practice ahead of their matchup with South Carolina. On the sidelines, Alex Condon and Sam Alexis worked on stationary bikes under the supervision of strength and conditioning coordinator Victor Lopez. Meanwhile, Handlogten joined the main rotation — alongside Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Thomas Haugh — running, posting, and rebounding with the starters rather than the scout team.
Once practice wrapped up, Handlogten remained in the gym to put up extra shots and free throws, followed by solo wind sprints under the watch of assistant coach Carlin Hartman. Afterward, he met briefly with a nutritionist, stepped on the courtside scale ("Lost four pounds today," he said), and then headed to the training room for recovery.
Yes. He’s back.
Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu
