Nate Oats floats possibility of medical redshirt for Alabama forward
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Nate Oats mentioned Tuesday that Alabama basketball may utilize a medical redshirt for sophomore forward Keitenn Bristow for the remainder of this season. Key word being “may.”
Oats said the following regarding the possibility on Tuesday afternoon: “That’s going to be a decision between him, his camp, Clark – our trainer – just how healthy he currently is, what he’s got moving forward. I’m not sure, I don’t know that he’ll be available for the Ole Miss game, but that has been discussed. I’m not sure where that stands at this point.”
Hear more from Oats below:
Bristow, a Tarleton State transfer, has been dealing with an ankle injury since the start of the season. He’s also dealt with a leg injury that has aided in his missing 13 games and counting. Bristow last played on January 10, when he saw the court sparingly against Texas.
The 6-10 forward started the year with a bang, scoring 10 points with 8 rebounds in a win over Illinois – his first Alabama appearance. He followed up that outing with a solid showing against Gonzaga, posting 7 points with 11 rebounds.
As far as production is concerned, that’s about where his major contributions start and end — he’s averaged just 3.6 points and 4 rebounds per game across the entire season, including the Gonzaga and Illinois matchups aforementioned. Injuries have obviously hindered his play, and he was in and out of the lineup until the Texas game mentioned above.
Bristow would have 3 seasons of eligibility remaining if he were to pursue and secure a medical redshirt for the 2025-26 season.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
