Nerlens Noel injury: Kentucky freshman heads to hospital in wheelchair

Kentucky forward Nerlens Noel has been taken to the hospital after suffering a frightening knee injury Tuesday night in the second half of the Wildcats' 69-52 loss at No. 7 Florida, according to Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio.

The freshman's status is still unknown, but the post-game reactions from both teams do not sound good.

"I'm physically sick for him," Kentucky coach John Calipari told reporters after the game. "I'm hoping it's not the extreme."

Florida center Patric Young also got a close look at the injury and admitted it looked serious.

Young told reporters: "His leg was wobbly, knee looked dislocated. It was gruesome. I don't want to think about it."

The Herald Leader published a photo of the injury. Those who are squeamish might not want to click that link.

The injury came at about the eight-minute mark in the game with the Wildcats in the midst of a 7-2 run to pull within 12 points of the Gators. Noel went up for a block and appeared to crash into the basket support before falling to the ground. He was eventually helped off the court. Florida Times-Union writer Hays Carlyon reported seeing Noel leave the arena in a wheelchair.

Noel scored eight points and had six rebounds Tuesday night before his injury.

Update: Noel has undergone tests and will fly back to Lexington with the Wildcats, the team reports.