Nate Oats updates status of two suspended Alabama basketball players
When Alabama played in exhibition Oct. 24, neither Juwan Gary nor Jahvon Quinerly played. They’ll be available for Tuesday night’s opener, though, according to coach Nate Oats.
Gary and Quinerly were suspended for the Crimson Tide’s charity exhibition with Louisiana last month for a violation of team rules. Oats didn’t comment further on the suspensions but said the duo could be available when Alabama opens the regular season against Louisiana Tech.
Oats confirmed the two are available for Alabama’s season opener on Tuesday, according to AL.com’s Mike Rodak.
Quinerly was Alabama’s leading scorer last season, averaging 12.9 points per game in his first season after transferring from Villanova. He was named the SEC Tournament Most Outstanding Player after scoring 15.7 points per contest to lead the Crimson Tide to a tournament championship.
Gary, in his first season since tearing his ACL, came off the bench last year and averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
Alabama was picked to finish second in the SEC preseason poll and checked in at No. 14 in the preseason AP Top 25. Quinerly and Jaden Shackelford were both picked first team preseason all-conference, as well.
The Crimson Tide lift the curtain on the 2021-22 season against Louisiana Tech Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
Nate Oats reveals plans to honor late fan ahead of Alabama home opener
As Alabama is getting ready to start its college basketball season, it’ll be without its biggest fan. But the Crimson Tide are going to honor him prior to tip-off Tuesday night.
Coach Nate Oats told reporters there are plans to honor Alabama superfan Cameron Luke Ratliff, who passed away from COVID-19 complications in April, before the Crimson Tide’s game against Louisiana Tech at Coleman Coliseum. Ratliff was a senior public relations major at Alabama and led the “Crimson Chaos” student section.
Oats discussed what it’ll be like without the 23-year-old in the stands.
“Ever since I got here, he walked in — shoot, sometimes you [walked] in for shootaround four hours before a game and he’s already in the stands setting stuff up, fired up, ready to go,” Oats said on Monday. “I’m going to miss him. It’s sad to think about. I think the school’s done a great job … honoring him. His parents are in town today, they’ll be here for the game tomorrow. It’ll be special to honor him, but we’re going to really miss him. Hopefully the new student leader can pick up where he left off.”