Tuesday, March 15
Jacksonville, FL
9:00 PM
Florida Gators
at
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North Florida
UF center John Egbunu (15) wore a big smile in his final game Tuesday night.
Egbunu's Season Over, Surgery Set for Thursday
Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Center John Egbunu has played his final game for the Florida Gators this season.
Egbunu, the 6-foot-11, 255-pound sophomore who had a double-double in Tuesday night's 97-68 blowout at North Florida in first-round play of the National Invitational Tournament, will undergo surgery Thursday to repair the ligament tear in his right thumb suffered last week, Coach Mike White announced after the game.
"I wish I could be there to help my team, but there are some things that are just out of your control," said Egbunu, who had 13 points on 6-for-10 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds against the Ospreys in 24 minutes. "This is what they say is best."
Egbunu averaged 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds during the 2015-16 season, his first with UF since transferring from South Florida two summers ago. He injured the thumb last week during the final practice before the team left for Nashville and the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
The Gators cleared Egbunu to play in the SEC tourney and NIT, armed with a brace on his right hand, because Thursday morning was the earliest date the surgery could be done. Coach Mike White, on the advice of team trainer David "Duke" Werner, ruled Egbunu out of any further NIT games because the injury is such any delay could prolong or complicate the procedure and rehabilitation period.
"He did whatever he could in playing with whatever that thing is on his thumb, to suck it up and try to get these guys one more victory," White said. "I'm proud of John."
Egbunu's final numbers will show 390 points and 220 rebounds, both currently second on the team, while shooting 59.1 percent from the floor over 34 games and 30 starts.
Egbunu, the 6-foot-11, 255-pound sophomore who had a double-double in Tuesday night's 97-68 blowout at North Florida in first-round play of the National Invitational Tournament, will undergo surgery Thursday to repair the ligament tear in his right thumb suffered last week, Coach Mike White announced after the game.
"I wish I could be there to help my team, but there are some things that are just out of your control," said Egbunu, who had 13 points on 6-for-10 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds against the Ospreys in 24 minutes. "This is what they say is best."
Egbunu averaged 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds during the 2015-16 season, his first with UF since transferring from South Florida two summers ago. He injured the thumb last week during the final practice before the team left for Nashville and the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
The Gators cleared Egbunu to play in the SEC tourney and NIT, armed with a brace on his right hand, because Thursday morning was the earliest date the surgery could be done. Coach Mike White, on the advice of team trainer David "Duke" Werner, ruled Egbunu out of any further NIT games because the injury is such any delay could prolong or complicate the procedure and rehabilitation period.
"He did whatever he could in playing with whatever that thing is on his thumb, to suck it up and try to get these guys one more victory," White said. "I'm proud of John."
Egbunu's final numbers will show 390 points and 220 rebounds, both currently second on the team, while shooting 59.1 percent from the floor over 34 games and 30 starts.
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