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Collins Onyejiaka is making progress in his journey to return to the floor with Alabama basketball.
The sophomore big man, who reclassified to join the Crimson Tide early, was seen practicing in a video released by Alabama men's basketball on X on Monday, July 27.
When Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats spoke with reporters in April, he said that Onyejiaka still hadn't been cleared.
Oats expressed that Alabama's staff was proceeding with "caution" regarding Onyejiaka, who missed the majority of his freshman year with a heart condition and procedures to remedy it.
REQUIRED READING: Alabama basketball center Collins Onyejiaka medical condition revealed
“Even the first time we had the procedure, it didn’t take right," Oats said in April. "There’s a ramp up and then he’s got to get cleared. He’s not cleared. We won’t know that until some time this summer.”
The clip of Onyejiaka was brief and didn't feature any extreme athleticism like dunks or blocks, but the sight of the 6-foot-11 center in action is a positive update in his road to recovery. He was also seen in practice footage published by Alabama in mid-June.
Alabama has not made an official statement on Onyejiaka's status since Oats last spoke on the matter in April.
Onyejiaka came off the bench in last season's games against North Dakota and St. John's before he was sidelined.
If available, Onyejiaka will add another layer to a group of Crimson Tide bigs that is already deep.
Alabama returns Onyejiaka and forwards London Jemison and Keitenn Bristow, who will join incoming transfers Brandon Garrison (Kentucky), Jamarion Davis-Fleming (Mississippi State), Cole Cloer (NC State) and Drew Fielder (Boise State), plus surprise 7-foot addition TJ St. Louis.
LOOKING AHEAD: Alabama men's basketball announces SEC slate, completing 2026-27 schedule
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Collins Onyejiaka seen in new Alabama basketball practice video after medical absence
Continue reading...
The sophomore big man, who reclassified to join the Crimson Tide early, was seen practicing in a video released by Alabama men's basketball on X on Monday, July 27.
When Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats spoke with reporters in April, he said that Onyejiaka still hadn't been cleared.
Oats expressed that Alabama's staff was proceeding with "caution" regarding Onyejiaka, who missed the majority of his freshman year with a heart condition and procedures to remedy it.
REQUIRED READING: Alabama basketball center Collins Onyejiaka medical condition revealed
“Even the first time we had the procedure, it didn’t take right," Oats said in April. "There’s a ramp up and then he’s got to get cleared. He’s not cleared. We won’t know that until some time this summer.”
The clip of Onyejiaka was brief and didn't feature any extreme athleticism like dunks or blocks, but the sight of the 6-foot-11 center in action is a positive update in his road to recovery. He was also seen in practice footage published by Alabama in mid-June.
Alabama has not made an official statement on Onyejiaka's status since Oats last spoke on the matter in April.
Onyejiaka came off the bench in last season's games against North Dakota and St. John's before he was sidelined.
If available, Onyejiaka will add another layer to a group of Crimson Tide bigs that is already deep.
Alabama returns Onyejiaka and forwards London Jemison and Keitenn Bristow, who will join incoming transfers Brandon Garrison (Kentucky), Jamarion Davis-Fleming (Mississippi State), Cole Cloer (NC State) and Drew Fielder (Boise State), plus surprise 7-foot addition TJ St. Louis.
LOOKING AHEAD: Alabama men's basketball announces SEC slate, completing 2026-27 schedule
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Collins Onyejiaka seen in new Alabama basketball practice video after medical absence
Continue reading...
