Alabama basketball could have one of its young stars back on Friday, when it faces either Kentucky or Oklahoma in the 2025 SEC Tournament. Derrion Reid, who has been out with a lingering hamstring injury, was listed as questionable Thursday on the SEC’s availability report.
Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats had said Wednesday that Reid’s return could be imminent.
“Derrion was able to practice in some limited capacity,” Oats said. “But wasn’t doing 5-on-5 stuff. Provided he has another good day tomorrow morning at practice, he will hopefully be cleared to play for the week, which would be great. Give us a little more depth if we’re fortunate enough to be playing three games in a row.”
Alabama earned a double-bye in the SEC Tournament, and will begin play on Friday. The Tide will face the winner of the Kentucky-Oklahoma game Thursday.
Reid, a freshman forward, hasn’t played since Alabama’s loss to Auburn on Feb. 15. He had previously missed time after the Tide played Georgia Feb. 1.
Oats said early in Reid’s absence that UA would take things slow.
“I think he’s going to be a pro,” Oats said in February. “He came in 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 that pros are looking for. We really don’t want to hurt his long-term career by rushing something to win a game or two.”
Reid was a five-star prospect and the No. 10 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He has averaged 7.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, and adds a strong presence to the Crimson Tide defense, which has struggled throughout the year.
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