Chris Youngblood update: Alabama guard returning from injury 'pretty soon'
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After missing the first month of the season with an ankle injury, Alabama guard Chris Youngblood will be returning ‘pretty soon,’ though an exact date wasn’t provided.
“Chris Youngblood is practicing every day, getting in live basketball,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said. We’ve got to get to where he feels comfortable to start playing in games, and there will be a ramp up. He’ll have a minutes restriction once he’s able to start playing in games, too. I’m still not sure when that’s gonna be. We’re a little shorthanded in the interim, but we should get Chris back here pretty soon, hopefully getting him to full strength as quick as we can.”
Youngblood is a 5th-year senior, and transferred to Alabama for his final season of eligibility over the offseason. He was named the Co-AAC player of the year last season at South Florida as he helped lead the Bulls to the regular season conference title and an NIT berth. He suffered an ankle injury in the preseason that required surgery, and has yet to appear in a game for Alabama so far this season.
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At 6-foot-4, Youngblood is a strong and stocky guard that was set to be an immediate contributor on this year’s Crimson Tide team. He averaged 15.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season, while also shooting over 41 percent from beyond the arc. Prior to his lone year at South Florida, Youngblood played three seasons at Kennesaw State, and led the Owls to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023.
With Latrell Wrightsell now being sidelined with the injury he suffered against Oregon, Youngblood’s return is now increasingly important. The two can play similar roles, with Youngblood’s career 39 percent 3-point shooting being sorely needed to replace the production lost by Wrightsell.
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