Report: Florida forward Alex Fudge ruled out tonight vs. South Carolina

Florida forward Alex Fudge is out for Wednesday’s game against South Carolina with a head injury, according to a report from national college basketball insider Jon Rothstein.

He hurt his head at the beginning of the second half of Saturday’s 61-59 victory over Mississippi State.

The 6-foot-9 forward has started every game since the start of December for the Gators. He is averaging 7.5 points and 5.1 rebounds on the year in 22.6 minutes per game.

Head coach Todd Golden said Tuesday that it was unlikely Fudge would be able to play.

“I think it’s going to be really hard for him to go tomorrow,” Golden said Tuesday during a press conference. “Alex is day to day, didn’t practice yesterday. We will see how he’s doing a little bit here. Obviously we’re not going to get him back out there until he’s ready, both from a health standpoint most importantly and then helping us win, equally as important. And obviously it was a challenge because he’s played a lot for us, been doing really well, and credit for the other guys for being able to shoulder that load down the stretch.”

Florida's Alex Fudge (head) is OUT for tonight's game against South Carolina, per a school spokesman. Averages 7.5 PPG and 5.1 RPG. Gators have won four of their last five games.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 25, 2023

Alex Fudge has helped Florida to 4-3 SEC start

Florida is 6-5 in games Alex Fudge has started this season, including a 4-3 mark in SEC play.

Jason Jitoboh could see some extended minutes with Fudge out for the game. The reserve big played his most minutes in a month against the Bulldogs.

“Jason, I think provided some really big minutes for us, in the second half, really big shot, right before the shot clock and that baseline hook was big for us,” Golden said. “We’re going to have to play more four-out on the perimeter and then we’re going to have to play with Jason and (Colin Castleton).”