Monday, February 21, 2011

Gators F Chandler Parsons questionable for game vs. Georgia

GAINESVILLE – Injured Florida forward Chandler Parsons has missed one game, and could miss another.
The senior did not play in Sunday's 68-61 win over LSU after suffering a deep thigh bruise on Feb. 12 in a game against Tennessee. On Monday, Florida coach Billy Donovan said it's possible Parsons won't be able to play in the Gators' next game – Thursday against Georgia.

"Right now, I'm not personally overly optimistic that he'll play," Donovan said on the SEC teleconference.

"We've got a couple days here to see how much progress he can make."

Parsons' injury came as the Casselberry native was playing his best basketball of the season. Parsons is averaging 10.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game for the season, but he earned SEC and national player of the week honors for helping Florida beat Vanderbilt and Kentucky in the same week.

In the six games leading up to the Tennessee game, he was averaging 13.5 points and 12 rebounds per game.


After rehabbing all week, Parsons tried to practice on Friday and Donovan said he couldn't get much done.

Missing Sunday's game ended his streak of 43 consecutive starts.

Donovan said the team would prepare as though Parsons won't be available.

"I'm not so sure that he's going to make the progress necessary to play (on Thursday)," Donovan said. "Right now, I don't have any more information other than if we were playing today or tomorrow, he would not play."