Nate Oats updates Jaxon Richardson injury, return timeline before Ole Miss exhibition

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats gave an availability update of sorts on Crimson Tide players ahead of the team’s upcoming exhibition against Ole Miss.

Guard Aden Holloway remains under a 5-game suspension as health setbacks continue to impact other players on the roster. Oats said after Alabama‘s 111-93 exhibition win over Furman that freshman guard Anderson Diaz would be out for approximately a month due to a left elbow injury, barring him from competing in the Ole Miss matchup on Thursday, Oct. 15.

Oats updated freshman forward Jaxon Richardson’s status during his opening statement at SEC Tipoff media days at the Hotel Wildemont — formerly the Grand Bohemian — in Birmingham on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

“Jaxon Richardson was out. He’s had some minor injuries, illnesses. Hopefully, he’ll be back for the first real game, if not sooner,” Oats said.

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LOOKING AHEAD: What can Alabama basketball expect from Ole Miss? What to know before exhibition

REQUIRED READING: Why Nate Oats didn’t budge on Aden Holloway suspension despite Alabama basketball injuries

Oats did not give further updates on guard Preston Murphy, who Oats described as dealing with an “upper body injury” after Furman.

Clarity on why 7-foot freshman TJ St. Louis did not see action in the Furman game, nor whether he would be expected to take the floor against Ole Miss, was not provided. Returning sophomore center Collins Onyejiaka, however, was confirmed by Oats to be medically cleared to play for Alabama this season after a heart issue sidelined him for the 2025-26 season.

Following the Furman game, Oats indicated that Onyejiaka did not play because there were more suitable matchups for him down the road.

Alabama tips off against Ole Miss for the Ballin’ in Boutwell Exhibition at the historic Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham at 8 p.m. CT. Broadcast and streaming information will be available Wednesday evening.

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Check out Texas Tech vs Alabama basketball photo gallery from March Madness

Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Houston Mallette (95) shoots the ball against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)