GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s basketball forward Alex Condon is set to play with a protective mouthpiece for an indefinite period. The 6-foot-10 athlete from Perth, Australia, faced a dental dilemma after an unintentional hit from RJ Godfrey during a close 88-83 defeat against Georgia earlier in the week. This incident led to an emergency dental visit where two of his teeth required realignment.
“I could feel them with my tongue,” Condon shared, reflecting on the aftermath. “They were pushed back, and it was just unpleasant.” His frustration was evident as he left the court, flinging a towel and tearing off his jersey, almost as though revisiting an earlier injury—missing previous games due to a sprained ankle.
Recalling last year’s similar ordeal, Condon noted, “It’s frustrating to go through this tedious process again.” This time, a metal wire stabilizes his teeth, allowing for healing. Historically hesitant to use a mouthguard, this season’s repeat incident coupled with his mother’s concern has convinced him otherwise.
Currently, Condon contributes an average of 10.5 points and leads in rebounds at 7.6 per game for the Gators. He’s a dominant force on the court, topping the team’s statistics with 35 blocks and ranking third in assists. Recently, despite facing challenges with his shooting accuracy against the Bulldogs, he worked hard to secure nine points and three rebounds.
“He competed fiercely,” remarked Florida coach Todd Golden. “It’s fantastic to see him back. We anticipate he’ll regain full form as we approach tournament play.” Condon remains optimistic about resuming his starting position against Texas A&M, now equipped with a mouthpiece to prevent further injuries.
“I’ve had my fair share of experiences,” Condon reflected. “Increased playtime does bring more contact challenges. My dad always says, ‘Go in strong to minimize injury risks,’ and that’s my mantra now as I continue to prepare and protect myself on the court.”
