Nate Oats Updates Alabama Basketball Injuries at Media Days

At SEC Tipoff '24, the head coach provided updates on a few of the Crimson Tide's injured players.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — While addressing the media at SEC Tipoff '24 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, Alabama basketball head coach Nate Oats gave some updates on a few of the Crimson Tide's injured players. 

Freshman forward Mouhamed Dioubate and transfer forward Mohamed Wague have both been held out of the majority of practice so far this preseason, but Oats said both are progressing well. 

"We definitely have to get healthy," Oats said. "Dioubate and Wague both required procedures once they got on campus for previous injuries. Dioubate has been able to participate in some live things in practice, he's still not going up and down for live scrimmage. But he's close.

"Wague had the issue with his foot, he's still not doing anything live. Both are on pace to be able to play in game one. Both of them, the timeframe was to get them healthy in time for game one and we think they'll both be there."

Dioubate, a 6-foot-7 freshman, suffered a knee injury soon after arriving on campus. He was a 4-star prospect in the Crimson Tide's 2023 recruiting class. 

Wague committed to Alabama over the summer out of the transfer portal after leaving West Virginia. He averaged four points and three rebounds last season. Oats referenced Wague as being an important piece for Alabama's interior defense this season, with the loss of Charles Bediako to the NBA. 

Oats said there have been some other minor injuries throughout practice, but none that will cause anyone to miss any time. 

"Everything else is just minor," Oats said. "An ankle tweak, a hip flexor, I can't go through it all."

Oats also referenced CSU Fullerton transfer Latrell Wrightsell Jr. as a player that has been banged up a few times in the preseason. 

"Wrightsell's been one that's been in and out, here and there," Oats said. "He's had different things, he's practicing now. He plays so hard, he's such a tough, physical guard. He doesn't shy away from anything, so he gets some nicks and bruises here and there. [...] He's had three different injuries that have kept him out various times since he's been here, but he's practicing. He should be available for the closed scrimmage, and hopefully should be available for the following scrimmage against Wake Forest."

Alabama has two upcoming scrimmages before the season begins. A closed scrimmage against TCU, and a charity exhibition on the road against Wake Forest on Oct. 29. Oats said availability for those scrimmages could be limited, but not by the first game of the season. 

"Everybody's not going to be available for our closed scrimmage, our exhibition game. Everyone should be available by game one, though."

Alabama officially opens the season Nov. 6 against Morehead State in Coleman Coliseum. 

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