Colleges

Donovan immobilized by worsening back pain

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published October 25, 2007

Billy Donovan made his obligatory appearance at the SEC Basketball Media Days on Wednesday, but not without a lot of pain and effort.

Donovan, who was unable to do his Monday interviews with local media, arrived in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday in severe pain, suffering with disc and ligament damage in his back.

According to team trainer Duke Werner, Donovan suffered two fractures in his back during his basketball playing days at Providence and has had back problems for years that worsened last season.

To keep his commitment at media days, Donovan was given an anti-inflammatory shot before leaving Gainesville, then laid on his stomach on the plane trip to Alabama with ice on his back. Werner made the trip to monitor Donovan. The longtime trainer said he doesn't believe Donovan needs surgery now, but didn't rule it out in the future.

When asked by reporters how he felt, Donovan replied: "Bad. I just know I haven't been able to get out of bed for two days."

Donovan said he's scheduled to meet with a back surgeon Tuesday; the surgeon is out of town until then.

With a complete rebuilding year on the horizon, this isn't good news for Donovan or the Gators.

"I'm concerned because I haven't been able to walk," he said. "It takes me a while. The other day, I got out of bed and couldn't stand up and had to crawl to the bathroom. So that's kind of what I'm dealing with now."

Contact Antonya English at english@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 24, 2007, 19:52:53]