Alex Condon injury update: Florida forward leaves game vs. Maryland with apparent leg issue

Florida forward Alex Condon left Thursday’s Sweet 16 game against Maryland with an apparent leg injury. He didn’t put any weight on his right leg as he got helped to the bench in the first half.

Condon appeared to tweak his ankle while diving for a loose ball. Once he got up, he immediately jumped up and down on his left leg as he got help toward the bench. He later headed back to the locker room.

Todd Golden didn’t have much new information during his in-game interview with TBS’ Lauren Shehadi. However, he also noticed it was likely Condon’s ankle, and the TBS broadcast confirmed that was the injury.

“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.”

Later in the first half, Condon underwent X-Rays out of precaution, Shehadi reported. It’s still unclear if he’ll be able to return.

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

Alex Condon is an important piece to Florida’s success this year, helping the Gators to a No. 1 seed and a Sweet Sixteen berth. He leads the Gators with 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, in addition to his 11.1 points per contest.

Condon previously suffered an ankle injury in February, just 30 seconds into a game against Mississippi State, but returned a few games later. Thursday’s injury was to the same leg, which is why Shehadi said Florida was being so careful with bringing him back against Maryland.

Florida cruised past Norfolk State in its NCAA Tournament opener, but went mano-a-mano against a tough UConn team. The Huskies looked primed for an upset, but the Gators turned on the jets and eventually came away with a gritty 77-75 victory to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Despite the scare, UF is still considered one of the favorites to win the national championship. In fact, ESPN’s Seth Greenberg said the Gators are the team he perhaps trusts the most.

“I have the most confidence in the Gators,” Greenberg said on Get Up on Thursday morning. “After watching the SEC Tournament, they were absolutely incredible. The pace they play with, the force they play with, the confidence they play with, the freedom they play with, their ability to defend and protect the rim, their ability to get to the offensive glass, the ability to have different guys step up.”