Derrion Reid injury update: Status of Alabama forward revealed vs. Kentucky in SEC Tournament

Alabama‘s Derrion Reid Jr. is expected to be a game-time decision against Kentucky, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. However, there is “strong optimism” Reid makes his first return to the court tonight since Feb. 15.

Reid has missed time due to his hamstring injury twice this season. He also missed time recovering from the injury between Jan. 11 and Jan. 29.

Derrion Reid Jr. is averaging 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game this season while shooting 43.6% from the field. He missed both of Alabama’s wins over Kentucky during the regular season.

Alabama fans had high expectations for Reid entering the 2024-25 campaign. He was the No. 16 overall player and No. 6 small forward in the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Derrion Reid hasn’t been able to find a rhythm this season before suffering another setback. However, Alabama head coach Nate Oats is confident the 6-foot-8 forward has a bright future.

“Derrion’s one of our best positional size, athletic defenders. And he’s done very good jobs on different guys when he’s been healthy,” Oats said. “It would be great to have him. … It’s hard not getting the reps, and he’s missed maybe 35, 36 percent of our practice reps this year.

“I think he’s going to be a pro. He came in as a McDonald’s All-American, he’s got all the intangibles as far as tough, great attitude, high IQ, he’s athletic. A lot of the stuff the pros are looking for. We really don’t want to hurt his long-term career by rushing something to win a game or two. We’re trying to do what’s right by him.”

The Crimson Tide and Wildcats are scheduled to tip-off at 9:30 p.m. ET inside Bridgestone Arena. The game will air live on the SEC Network.

Storms expected to hit near SEC Tournament

A broken line of severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep through Nashville — host site of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament — during the early morning hours Saturday. They could bring with them the potential for damaging winds, large hail and even tornadoes, according to the latest from the National Weather Service.

The multiple supercells should cross into Tennessee around midnight CT headed East and could reach the Nashville area around 2-4 a.m. CT Saturday morning, according to NWS projections. These supercells are expected to be rotating and capable of damaging straightline winds with speeds from 60-75 mph and large damaging hail between 1-2 inches in diameter, with the potential for tornadoes as strong as EF2 or more, according to NashvilleSevereWeather.com’s Friday afternoon update.

On3’s Alex Byington also contributed to his report.