Aiden Sherrell, Latrell Wrightsell injury update: Nate Oats provides latest on Alabama players

College basketball season is just under a month away, with Nate Oats entering another season at Alabama with big-time expectations. Unfortunately, there are already a few injuries the Crimson Tide are already dealing with as practice gets underway. Oats provided the latest during Tuesday’s SEC Media Days from Birmingham.

Two key players entering the season — Aiden Sherrell and Latrell Wrightsell — are currently not practicing but do have timelines to return. Oats says Wrightsell will be back by the time Alabama has its second scrimmage but Sherrell may not return until another team is sharing the court with them.

“Nate Oats provides a couple injury updates: Latrell Wrightsell could return by the second scrimmage, hopeful that Aidan Sherrell will return by season opener,” On3’s James Fletcher said via X.

Wrightsell is in his second season with the program, being one of the many effective shooters Oats has on the roster. His health was a big story for Alabama during their postseason run, both during the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. In 31 games played, he averaged 15.1 points per game while shooting 44.7% from three on just over eight attempts per game.

Getting him back to Tuscaloosa for another season was huge for Oats, hoping his scoring efficiency continues. Thankfully, there will be some time for Wrightsell to ramp up in the preseason before having fresh faces on the other side.

As for Sherrell, he is entering his first season with the program as a true freshman. He played high school basketball at Detroit (MI) Prolific Prep, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 23 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Center was a position where Alabama could not find a ton of consistency from last season despite making a run to the Final Four. Oats did bring in Cliff Omoruyi from Rutgers but Sherrell will still play significant minutes in the rotation this season. Getting depth at the five could be why Oats feels like the roster is in a better overall spot than a year ago.

Nov. 4 against UNC Asheville is when the 2024-2025 season will get underway from Coleman Coliseum, being the hopeful return for Sherrell.