Alabama Basketball Roster Depleted by Injuries Before Ole Miss

A wave of injuries and suspensions has thinned the Alabama Crimson Tide backcourt and frontcourt just days before a neutral-site exhibition against SEC rival Ole Miss, forcing head coach Nate Oats to navigate severe depth limitations during the final tune-up before the regular season.

Freshman guard Anderson Diaz will miss Thursday’s matchup at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham after sustaining a left elbow injury during Alabama’s 111-93 preseason victory over Furman. Oats indicated Diaz faces roughly a month on the sideline. The loss compounds an already strained guard rotation for a program that relies heavily on perimeter spacing and pace under its current offensive system.

Guard Aden Holloway remains sidelined serving the remainder of a five-game suspension. Despite the mounting medical absences across the roster, Oats declined to shorten Holloway’s disciplinary ban, maintaining the original timeline established before the health setbacks accumulated.

Freshman forward Jaxon Richardson has also been limited by what Oats described as minor injuries and illnesses. Speaking Tuesday at SEC Tipoff media days — held at the Hotel Wildemont, formerly the Grand Bohemian in Birmingham — Oats expressed optimism that Richardson could return for Alabama’s regular-season opener if not earlier.

The status of guard Preston Murphy remains unresolved. Following the Furman exhibition, Oats disclosed only that Murphy is managing an upper-body injury without offering a projected return date or confirming his availability against the Rebels.

In the frontcourt, questions linger around 7-foot freshman TJ St. Louis, who did not see action against Furman. No explanation was provided regarding his absence or whether he will feature in the upcoming exhibition.

One significant development involves sophomore center Collins Onyejiaka, who received full medical clearance this season after a heart condition forced him to miss the entire 2025-26 campaign. Cardiac issues in collegiate athletics require extensive evaluation protocols, typically involving cardiologists and strict NCAA return-to-play guidelines before athletes can resume contact drills. Although cleared to compete, Onyejiaka sat out the Furman game. Oats cited strategic reasoning rather than medical caution, suggesting future opponents present more suitable matchups for the big man’s skill set.

Exhibition games between conference opponents serve a distinct purpose in the modern college basketball calendar. Unlike closed-door scrimmages, neutral-site exhibitions such as the Ballin’ in Boutwell event allow coaching staffs to evaluate rotations under live officiating while generating revenue outside their home arenas. For programs undergoing significant roster turnover through the transfer portal or relying heavily on freshmen, these contests often reveal immediate rotational vulnerabilities that must be addressed before November.

Thursday’s tipoff against Ole Miss is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT. Broadcast and streaming details are expected to be released Wednesday evening.