Emilee Smarr, Tuscaloosa NewsTue, November 25, 2025 at 2:15 AM UTC·1 min readThe return of Alabama basketball forward Keitenn Bristow was the difference in the game when the Crimson Tide faced Illinois in Chicago. Upon the team's arrival in Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival, the Tarleton State transfer was seen in a boot at the airport.
Before No. 9 Alabama faced No. 10 Gonzaga on Monday, Nov. 24, coach Nate Oats told Crimson Tide Sports Network he was unsure if Bristow was "100%." Still, he will be available against Gonzaga.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, there's another glue guy for Alabama that won't take the floor against the Zags. That'd be Latrell Wrightsell Jr., whose 2024-25 season ended during the Players Era Festival when he tore his Achilles.
"Outside of Wrightsell, we're good," Oats said, not disclosing exactly what injury the veteran guard was dealing with.
Per broadcast, Wrightsell is dealing with a left leg injury. Although it was said that the ailment wasn't "serious," Wrightsell will miss the entirety of the Players Era Festival, including the next game against UNLV and a pending championship.
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In recent weeks, Miami transfer guard Jalil Bethea (foot) has been seen without a boot and participating in pregame drills.
Also remaining on the injury report is freshman center Collins Onyejiaka, who is down with what Oats described as a "medical condition." When speaking about Onyejiaka's condition, Oats didn't go into details.
Oats said on Monday, Nov. 24, that both Bethea and Onyejiaka would be out for the "foreseeable future."
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nate Oats updates Alabama basketball injuries ahead of Gonzaga
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