It wouldn't be Alabama basketball without an injury to a key player in the preseason. Last year, transfer Chris Youngblood suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss the first eight games of the 2024-25 season. Now, Miami (FL) transfer Jalil Bethea will miss some time at the beginning of the season with an injury, Nate Oats announced.
Through a release from Yea-Alabama, Oats said the following about the injury to Bethea:
“Jalil Bethea injured his left foot during practice this week, which required surgery to repair. The procedure was performed by Dr. Norman Waldrop with Andrews Sports Medicine on Friday, Sept. 19th in Birmingham. While there is no timetable for Bethea’s return, we do not anticipate this injury is season ending and we expect him to return this year.”
Bethea was a former Top 10 overall recruit coming out of high school, and spent a disappointing freshman season at Miami (FL). He transferred to Alabama this offseason and was expected to play a major role for the Crimson Tide this season.
It's good news that the injury is not expected to be season-ending, but Bethea is expected to miss an undetermined amount of time. There are six weeks left until Alabama opens the 2025-26 season against North Dakota. The goal is likely to have Bethea back by the time conference play rolls around, but missing that amount of time will make it all the more difficult for him to assimilate into a then-established rotation.
Nate Oats has plenty of depth to withstand an injury, but it's still unfortunate
Alabama has plenty of depth on the wing to withstand an injury, but it's hard for Alabama basketball fans to not get frustrated. It never feels like we get to see an Oats-coached team that doesn't have major injury issues to deal with.
Bethea was a projected starter, though that was still very much to be determined. Most expect Labaron Philon and Latrell Wrightsell to start in the backcourt. That's contingent on Wrightsell being healthy and ready to go at the beginning of the season, as he is trending toward.
At the three with Bethea out, it's likely going to come down to senior Houston Mallette and true freshman Amari Allen, who has generated a lot of preseason buzz in Tuscaloosa.
Mallette brings leadership and elite shot-making ability. I would expect Oats to lean toward the veteran, at least early in the season. But if Allen continues to outperform his recruiting ranking when the lights are bright, he'll play a major role and could find himself in the starting five.
Other freshmen like Davion Hannah and London Jemison could see increased roles as well. Versatility with wing/forward Taylor Bol Bowen could see minutes at the three when Alabama wants increased size on the court as well.
Alabama will need Bethea at some point, but they should have enough talent and depth to handle one injury. The key will be avoiding any further setbacks.