Grant Nelson, Latrell Wrightsell injury update: Nate Oats provide major updates on Alabama players

Even though Grant Nelson and Latrell Wrightsell didn't play Alabama’s preseason exhibition against Wake Forest on Friday, Nate Oats expects the two stars to be back soon. According to NCAAB insider Jon Rothstein, Oats is anticipating Wrightsell to suit up for the Oct. 28 game against Memphis.

Moreover, Nelson, alongside power forward Aiden Sherrell, is expected to lace up for Crimson Tide’s season opener against UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Nov. 5.

From Nate Oats’ timeline for other injured players in September, it's highly possible that Alabama will feature its standouts in the November game.

In September's preview press conference, Oats shared that Naas Cunningham (day-to-day) and Derrion Reid (week-to-week) would suit up for the exhibition game. Reid played 23 minutes against Wake Forest, scoring seven points, five rebounds and two blocks, while Cunningham saw nearly 10 minutes of action, scoring three points on 1-5 shooting.

Grant Nelson is a lottery pick potential and is going through minor abdomen issues. He participated in the intrasquad scrimmage on Oct. 11 and is going through the last stretch of assessments, while Wrightsell is dealing with minor lower leg issues.

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Nate Oats’ program is the favorite to win SEC

Thanks to returning veteran players and a strong incoming class, Alabama is the media’s favorite to win the SEC conference in the 2024-25 season. Alabama is fresh off its first Final Four run. Two of its top scorers, Mark Sears and Grant Nelson, withdrew early from the NBA draft cycle this offseason.

Nate Oats’ 2024-25 season roster features five players in ESPN’s top-100 players who could make it to next year’s NBA draft.

Sears is also recognized as the preseason Player of the Year named to the preseason first-team All-SEC. He averaged 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals last season, shooting 50.8% from the floor and 43.6% from the 3-point line.

Grant Nelson, meanwhile, earned the preseason second-team All-SEC honors. He's coming off averaging 11.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 1.6 bpg, making 48.8% of his shots.