Freshman point guard Scottie Wilbekin will likely be out 7-10 days after suffering a neck strain in Wednesday’s 92-58 exhibition win against Florida Tech, coach Billy Donovan said Friday.
The injury occurred with about 8:25 remaining in the first half, when Wilbekin and a Florida Tech player collided during a scramble for a loose ball.
“At this time of the year, what we would probably do is side on caution because these games are not counting,” Donovan said. “I’d like to have him out there, but I don’t want to push him too much where if he gets hit or banged then all of a sudden now we’re in a situation where he’s out another ten days.”
Wilbekin checked in the game at the 16:33 mark of the first half and notched an assist on his opening possession.
Later, Wilbekin forced the second of his two steals and found Chandler Parsons with a behind-the-back pass for an uncontested dunk.
“His first stint that he came in I could tell that he was a little nervous,” Donovan said. “When he came out and then went back in the second time he actually had a really, really good period.”
Wilbekin is expected to miss Florida’s Nov. 3 exhibition game against Georgetown (Ky.) College, but he is on schedule to return for the Nov. 12 season opener against UNC-Wilmington.
