Gak Cleared to Play

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Freshman center Gorjok Gak, sidelined for more than two weeks with a foot sprain, has been cleared to return to action and will be available when No. 12 Florida (23-6, 13-3) takes on Arkansas (22-7, 11-5) Wednesday night at the Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center.

The 6-foot-11, 231-pound Gak suffered the injury to his left foot during practice Feb. 13. The initial prognosis was that Gak would miss 10-14 days. Gak returned to practice Tuesday and took part in Wednesday afternoon's shoot-around at the O'Dome.

Though he's played just 40 minutes this season -- mostly in late-game mop-up situations -- Gak's availability grew more important following the season-ending knee injury to starting center John Egbunu, which occurred Feb. 14 at Auburn, just one day after Gak got hurt. UF coach Mike White may try to get some minutes out of his Australian big man alongside reserve center Schuyler Rimmer in effort to keep sophomore starter Kevarrius Hayes fresh and out of foul trouble. Or the Gators may opt to go status quo, given Gak's lack of experience and rust.

Thus far this season, Gak has hit five of his eight field-goal attempts, one of four free throws and grabbed 12 rebounds for averages of 1.1 points and 1.2 boards in just 10 games. He has not appeared in a game since UF's 93-54 blowout win over Missouri on Feb. 2.

Gak averaged 13.9 points and 9.3 rebounds a game at Bradenton (Fla.) Victory Rock Prep. He originally signed with Oklahoma State, but was released from his national letter-of-intent following a coaching change there and signed with the Gators last summer.

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Players Mentioned

John Egbunu

Gorjok Gak

Kevarrius Hayes

Schuyler Rimmer

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