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UF's Wright out for tournament

The senior forward has the screw in his foot replaced and will be on crutches 4-6 weeks.

By DEBI JONES

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 13, 2001

GAINESVILLE -- Senior forward Brent Wright will not have the chance to compete in his final NCAA Tournament. Florida coach Billy Donovan said Monday that Wright is out for the season after aggravating his right foot injury.

Wright had surgery Monday morning to replace the screw inserted in his foot Jan. 4.

"It's tough, but it's just another bump on the road that we have to deal with," sophomore guard Brett Nelson said.

"We have played the last few games without him and we have played pretty well. We have to play hard and not make excuses."

After returning from the original surgery, Wright re-injured the stress fracture against Mississippi on Feb. 24.

Wright visited several specialists, even flying to New York City during the first day of the Southeastern Conference tournament, to determine the possibility of returning for the NCAAs.

X-rays this weekend confirmed he would need surgery on his foot, which was re-injured after his shoe blew out against the Rebels.

Wright will be on crutches for 4-6 weeks. Donovan said replacing the screw would allow him to be ready to play at the next level.

"I know that if Brent Wright went to an NBA combine or went to a team and they X-rayed his foot, they would not draft him based on where his foot is at," Donovan said. "We wanted to make sure that if he was afforded the opportunity and if doctors do examine his foot, they would say, "This guy is fine, the proper surgery is performed."

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