GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Forward
Keith Stone will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season with a knee injury suffered in Saturday's win at Georgia.
Stone, the 6-foot-8, 253-pound fourth-year junior, suffered a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee when he jumped and landed awkwardly after chasing down and defending a Bulldogs fast break. Stone, who scored eight points in just nine first-half minutes that represented his best action of the season, remained on the floor for several minutes, before being carried to the locker room. He stayed there the rest of the game.
An MRI Sunday confirmed the damage. Stone will undergo surgery in the next several weeks.
"We're really disappointed for Keith," UF coach
Mike White said.
Keith Stone and UF coach Mike White
Stone had come off the bench the last four SEC games and had yet to hit a field goal in league play (0-for-10 going into the weekend), but knocked down three of four shots, including a highlight-reel drive and one-handed power dunk on UGA forward Derek Ogbeide that helped UF open a 10-point halftime lead. His injury came at the 17:56 mark of the second half, just 13 seconds after he checked into the game.
"Keith was having a really good game," White said. "He made an unbelievable play going left. As athletic a play as I've ever seen him make. He was gaining confidence. He came off the bench with a good attitude. Hit a 3-ball. You just hate to see guys go down."
The loss of Stone is the latest hit to a front court that for the last three seasons has dealt with injuries; from losing center
John Egbunu (knee) for the season late in 2015-16 and midway through the 2016-17, to forwards
Chase Johnson (concussions) and
Isaiah Stokes (knee) in 17-18, to center
Gorjok Gak (knee), who has yet to play a minute this season, and now Stone in '18-19.
The Gators gave 6-5 freshman forward
Keyontae Johnson his first career start against Georgia and he responded with eight points and seven rebounds in a season-high 32 minutes at the "4" spot.
