South Carolina forward Alanzo Frink out for season due to medical reasons

South Carolina junior forward Alanzo Frink played in the Gamecocks' first three games of the campaign but hasn't competed since a 77-67 loss to the Houston Cougars on Dec. 5 that preceded a coronavirus-related program pause. 

Gamecocks coach Frank Martin confirmed on Tuesday that Frink will miss the rest of the season due to unspecified medical reasons. 

As Michael Lananna wrote for The Charlotte Observer, Martin hinted but did not directly say that Frink has battled COVID-19. 

“I met with him (Tuesday) morning, and the one thing that he wants to make sure that’s clear here right now: He doesn’t want to make this about him or a feel-sorry kind of soap opera,” Martin said of Frink's status and health. "But at the same time he wants to make sure that other people that are out there that are going through this moment, make sure that you’re getting checked out. This is real. This is not something to play with. This is not your common cold that you just kind of get through it and you’re good to go.

"There’s a lot of details and a lot of boxes that need to be checked. And it’s important that everyone out there checks those boxes." 

Florida Gators forward Keyontae Johnson was the key figure in one of the scariest sights, to date, of the season held amid the pandemic when he collapsed to the court during a game against the Florida State Seminoles in December. As Mark Long of The Associated Press (h/t Orlando Sentinel) reported, Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 late last summer.

Coronavirus infections have been linked with myocarditis, a heart condition that can lead to cardiac arrest. Johnson has since taken a coaching role with the Gators. 

Frink averaged 3.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in his three games. Martin, meanwhile, has tested positive for COVID-19 on two occasions during the health crisis.