Florida’s Condon Injures Ankle in Sweet 16 Game

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gators forward Alex Condon exited Thursday’s Sweet 16 game against Maryland with a leg injury, raising concerns about his status for the upcoming games. The injury occurred in the first half when Condon appeared to twist his right ankle while diving for a loose ball.

After the fall, Condon struggled to put weight on his right leg and was helped to the bench, jumping on his left leg in visible discomfort. He subsequently went to the locker room for further evaluation.

During an in-game interview with TBS’ Lauren Shehadi, Gators coach Mike Golden shared limited information but acknowledged the situation was likely related to Condon’s ankle. “It looked like he twisted his ankle,” Golden said. “I don’t know exactly the severity yet. I’ll talk to the trainer after I talk to you.”

Shehadi reported later in the first half that Condon underwent precautionary X-rays to assess the injury. “We saw him clutch his ankle and walk off the court. He rolled his right ankle – the same one he hurt back in February. I’m told they’re extra cautious and taking precautionary X-rays right now. I’ll keep you posted if we get results,” Shehadi said.

Condon is a crucial player for the Gators, contributing significantly to their season and helping the team attain a No. 1 seed and a berth in the Sweet 16. He currently leads Florida with an average of 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, along with 11.1 points per game.

Previously, Condon suffered a similar ankle injury just 30 seconds into a game against Alabama in February but returned to action shortly thereafter. Given the recurrence to the same leg injury, Florida has been taking extra precautions with his recovery as they navigate the NCAA tournament.

The Gators advanced to the Sweet 16 after a hard-fought 77-75 victory against a tough UConn team. Despite the injury scare, Florida remains a favorite to win the national championship, a sentiment echoed by ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg. “I have the most confidence in the Gators,” Greenberg stated on the morning show Get Up on Thursday. “After watching the SEC Tournament, they were absolutely incredible. The pace they play with, the force they play with, the confidence they play with, their ability to defend and protect the rim, and to get to the offensive glass, is impressive.”