Alabama freshman guard Collin Sexton will serve a one-game suspension and return to action against Lipscomb next Tuesday.
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne released a statement announcing that Sexton would be eligible to play after sitting out Friday’s game against Memphis.
“Collin Sexton will sit out of Friday’s season opener against Memphis to serve a one-game suspension for violation of NCAA rules. He will be eligible for competition in the team’s home opener on Tuesday versus Lipscomb. We appreciate the NCAA’s effort to reach a timely resolution of his eligibility.”
Sexton was ranked as the No. 7 overall player in ESPN’s Top 100 for the 2017 recruiting class.
The Tide will also be without Braxton Key, Riley Norris, and Ar’Mond Davis against Memphis.
Lovell’s Analysis
And there you have it.
It’s been a nervous couple of days for Alabama fans after news broke of Sexton still being ineligible and Key suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Now, Sexton will be back after only one game, and Key’s surgery should only keep him out four weeks.
Those are both positive developments for an Alabama team that figures to be in the running for an SEC regular season title.
Sexton is a complete game-changer on offense, and that’ll be on full display when the Tide host Lipscomb next week.
His ability to push the ball down the floor and use his incredible court vision should give Alabama a completely different feel on offense this season.
Finding a consistent offense flow was a problem for Avery Johnson’s squad last season, but that should be no more with Sexton in the mix.
That’s why this is certainly a team that can emerge from the pack and compete with Kentucky, Florida, and Texas A&M at the very top of the SEC.