Florida center Micah Handlogten breaks leg in SEC championship game, stretchered off court

Florida sophomore center Micah Handlogten was taken off the court on a stretcher Sunday during the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament championship game after he suffered a broken bone on his lower left leg.

The injury happened early in the first half of Sunday's game against Auburn, stopping play for several minutes while trainers and medical personnel treated Handlogten. After the game, Florida head coach Todd Golden confirmed the fracture, and said Handlogten had been taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville "for further evaluation." Golden added that Handlogten will undergo surgery later Sunday evening.

"He's a great kid," Golden told reporters after the game, fighting back tears. "You just hate to see it for him because he does everything the right way and works hard. That's a super fluky injury that you don't see very often in this game. Playing a big-time game like this, to go out that way, I just feel for him."

Handlogten posted a message on social media, thanking fans for the support and well wishes.

"Gator Nation, Thank you for all of the love and prayers!" he wrote in a message Sunday afternoon. "It has helped more than anyone could imagine. Keep supporting the boys so we can make a deep run in the NCAAT! I love you all!"

IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

On the play that the injury happened, Handlogten, a 7-foot-1, 235-pound player, jumped near the basket in an attempt to haul in a rebound. The ball glanced off his hands, and as Handlogten landed, his weight fell awkwardly on his left leg, causing his ankle to buckle. Auburn recovered the loose ball and then quickly converted a layup on the other end before play was stopped. The injury took place with 17:48 in the first half.

Play was stopped for several minutes, and the crowd at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville grew quiet. Players from both teams appeared visibly concerned, some in tears, and prayer circles formed while Handlogten was being treated.

According to the ESPN broadcast, medical staff on the court stabilized Handlogten's lower left leg and used an "air cast-like contraption." Air casts are commonly used to secure severe traumatic injuries, such as broken bones. The ESPN broadcast also reported that there was some blood resulting from the injury.

Per the broadcast, Handlogten's parents, Danielle and Benjamin, were both on the court near where Handlogten was being treated and loaded onto the stretcher. Handlogten's parents followed him as medical personnel ushered him off the court on the stretcher. Handlogten's teammates very quickly ran over to wish him well as he was taken off the court. Play resumed shortly afterward.

The Gators would go on to lose the game, 86-67.

Handlogten, who is from Lake Norman, N.C., was averaging 5.5 points and 7.1 rebounds this season for the Gators.

"Micah is so valuable for our team, especially on the offensive rebounding side of things. Losing him early kind of affected us a little bit," Florida forward Tyrese Samuel said after the game. "We were trying to win the championship for him. We really care about him. He's part of our family.

"We going to go out there next week and keep on playing for him."