Nelson injured in incident at practice
Florida shooting guard Brett Nelson suffered a broken cheekbone Tuesday after a incident at practice with teammate LaDarius Halton.
Nelson had surgery at Shands Hospital and is not expected to miss Florida's game with Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday at the United Center in Chicago. Halton was not injured.
"Practice got a little physical yesterday," Billy Donovan. "(Nelson) is in good hands with our medical staff and he is doing well. We anticipate him coming to practice today, Thursday and playing Friday."
Florida wouldn't confirm if a fight took place, but John Lawson, Halton's grandfather, said there was an incident.
"There was an altercation," said Lawson, who has reared Halton since he was seven. "I think they're still going to let him play."
Nelson is averaging 14.7 points and 3.3 assists for the Gators this season. The two-time all-SEC selection is Florida's best perimeter player.
Halton has been dogged by injuries throughout his career at UF. A degenerative knee condition kept him out of the 1999-2000 season, and he has seen limited action the last two seasons. Donovan said Monday he wanted to see more "passion, intensity and fight" from his team following a lackluster performance in the SEC Tournament, where Florida lost to Mississippi State in the quarterfinals.
No disciplinary action has been taken against Halton.
Florida shooting guard Brett Nelson suffered a broken cheekbone Tuesday after a incident at practice with teammate LaDarius Halton.
Nelson had surgery at Shands Hospital and is not expected to miss Florida's game with Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday at the United Center in Chicago. Halton was not injured.
"Practice got a little physical yesterday," Billy Donovan. "(Nelson) is in good hands with our medical staff and he is doing well. We anticipate him coming to practice today, Thursday and playing Friday."
Florida wouldn't confirm if a fight took place, but John Lawson, Halton's grandfather, said there was an incident.
"There was an altercation," said Lawson, who has reared Halton since he was seven. "I think they're still going to let him play."
Nelson is averaging 14.7 points and 3.3 assists for the Gators this season. The two-time all-SEC selection is Florida's best perimeter player.
Halton has been dogged by injuries throughout his career at UF. A degenerative knee condition kept him out of the 1999-2000 season, and he has seen limited action the last two seasons. Donovan said Monday he wanted to see more "passion, intensity and fight" from his team following a lackluster performance in the SEC Tournament, where Florida lost to Mississippi State in the quarterfinals.
No disciplinary action has been taken against Halton.
