Alabama’s Latrell Wrightsell Avoids Major Injury, Expected Back for Key SEC Stretch
For Alabama senior guard Latrell Wrightsell, the road back to full health has been anything but smooth. After missing most of last season with a torn Achilles suffered during the Players Era Festival, Wrightsell returned to the floor this year only to be sidelined again-this time missing eight games due to a string of lingering injuries. But just when it looked like the injury bug might bite again in a big way, the Crimson Tide got a much-needed dose of good news.
In Saturday’s high-octane 96-92 rivalry win over Auburn, Wrightsell went down in the first half with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. He had to be helped off the court and did not return, raising immediate concern for a team already dealing with a thin rotation. Head coach Nate Oats said postgame that Wrightsell would undergo further evaluation to determine the severity.
Fast forward to Monday, and it’s a sigh of relief for Alabama fans. According to Oats, an ultrasound on Wrightsell’s knee revealed “nothing major,” and the senior guard is expected to be available for Wednesday’s road matchup against Ole Miss.
That’s not just good news-it’s critical.
Wrightsell has quietly become one of the most important pieces in Alabama’s offensive puzzle. While his season scoring average sits at 9.5 points per game, his recent form tells a much more impactful story.
Over the last four games, he’s been red-hot from beyond the arc, connecting on 15 of his last 29 three-point attempts-an eye-popping 51.7%. That stretch includes a blistering 7-for-10 performance in a rout of Missouri.
Zoom out a bit, and Wrightsell’s shooting surge has elevated him to 41% from deep in SEC play. That kind of clip isn’t just a bonus-it’s a weapon.
For a Crimson Tide offense that thrives on spacing and tempo, having a reliable perimeter threat like Wrightsell opens up the floor for everyone else. It forces defenses to stretch out, creating driving lanes and passing angles that are central to Oats’ high-octane system.
Injuries have been a recurring theme for Alabama this season. Outside of Houston Mallette-who’s the lone player to appear in every game-availability has been a challenge.
That’s forced Oats to tighten the rotation, especially in high-stakes moments. After Wrightsell exited the Auburn game, Alabama essentially went with a seven-man unit the rest of the way.
And yet, they found a way to gut out a rivalry win. Now, with Wrightsell likely back in the fold, Alabama is staring down a pivotal week in the SEC race.
They’ll travel to Oxford to take on Ole Miss on Wednesday, followed by a home showdown with South Carolina on Saturday. Both games are winnable, but in a conference this tight, nothing comes easy.
Wrightsell’s return couldn’t be better timed. If he can stay healthy and keep shooting the way he has, Alabama’s offense becomes that much more dangerous-and their path to the top of the SEC standings gets a little clearer.