Injured Alabama basketball players 'on pace' to play in season opener
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Nate Oats expects Alabama basketball’s two injured forwards will be able to play in the Crimson Tide’s season-opening game against Morehead State next month.
Speaking at the SEC Tipoff ‘24 on Wednesday, Oats provided the latest on Mouhamed Dioubate (knee) and Mohamed Wague (foot), who both underwent procedures after they enrolled.
“We definitely got to get healthy,” said Oats at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. “We had both Mohameds, Wague and Dioubate. Both required procedures once they got to campus with previous injuries that we weren’t aware of. Dioubate has been able to participate in some live things in practice. He’s still not going up and down live scrimmage. But he’s close. He had a knee issue.
“Wague had an issue with his foot. He’s still not doing anything live. The both of them are on pace to be able to play in game one. Both of them, the time frame was to get them healthy just in time for game one. We think they’ll both be there for Game 1.
“Everybody else we should have by game one. Everything else is minor, an ankle tweak, a groin pull, a hip flexor. I can’t go through it. We’ve had a lot of different just minor injuries. Everybody is not going to be available for our closed scrimmage and our exhibition game. We do think everybody should be available by Game 1, though.”
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Dioubate and Wague watched from off to the side in the media viewing portion of Alabama’s first practice on Sept. 25. Those two were the only players that appeared to be limited, but Oats was also asked about Latrell Wrightsell Jr., who has been “in and out here and there.”
“He’s been one that has been in and out here and there,” Oats said. “He’s had different things. He’s practicing now. He’s a guy that plays so hard and so physically. He’s a tough, physical guard. He doesn’t shy away from anything. He kind of puts himself in there to get some nicks and bruises here and there. For people who watched practice, he may not have been practicing that particular day. He’s had I think three different injuries that have kept him out of various times since he’s been here.
“He’s practicing. He practiced today. Yeah, he should be available. Got a closed scrimmage. Should be available for that. Hopefully he’ll be available for the exhibition against Wake Forest.”
Alabama will host Morehead State on Monday, Nov. 6, at Coleman Coliseum. The Crimson Tide will also play in a closed scrimmage against TCU and a charity exhibition at Wake Forest.
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