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Alabama Guard Receives Major Update on Eligibility

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alec Musa | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 8:48 PM ET

The Alabama Crimson Tide will play next season without three-time All-SEC honoree Mark Sears. However, the expectation in Tuscaloosa remains another trip to the Elite Eight, and their chances received a significant boost on Monday.

According to Blake Byler of On3, the NCAA has granted guard Latrell Wrightsell a medical redshirt for the 2025-26 season.

Next season will be Wrightsell's sixth season in college basketball and third with the Crimson Tide. Wrightsell was in the midst of a solid season with Alabama during the 2024-25 campaign before a ruptured Achilles tendon ended his year.

Before his injury, the Omaha native averaged 11.5 points on 50% shooting across eight games. The year before, Wrightsell scored 8.9 points per game in 32 games, but injuries limited him during the team's run to the Final Four. He is a career 45% shooter from deep while donning the crimson and grey.

Wrightsell joined the Crimson Tide through the transfer portal and, more notably, from the Cal State Fullerton Titans. He was an All-Big West member in his final year, scoring 16.3 points per game.

The news of Wrightsell's eligibility for the 2025-26 season is a ginormous boost for the Nate Oats-led squad. Wrightsell will likely play his most significant role with the Crimson Tide since joining them in 2023, especially with the loss of senior guards Mark Sears and Chris Youngblood.

Sears scored 18.6 points per game en route to All-American honors. Meanwhile, Youngblood scored 10.3 points per game as Sears' top backcourt running mate.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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