The University of Alabama has made the decision to cut Aiden Holloway, their second leading scorer from the men’s basketball team, just days ahead of the NCAA Tournament match against Hofstra, as reported by ESPN.
This removal is due to his recent arrest for marijuana possession, which occurred on Monday. Holloway will be suspended pending an investigation by the Alabama Office of Student Conduct.
Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats mentioned on a radio program that while they have standards and ways to hold players accountable, some situations call for actions that can’t be kept internal. He expressed disappointment, stating that they learned they needed to suspend Holloway this morning while wanting to provide him support. “We’re preparing to play without him this weekend,” he added.
In a statement released the same day, the university acknowledged Holloway’s situation, mentioning a ban from campus while the conduct office conducts its investigation.
Details surrounding his arrest indicate that officers from the West Alabama Drug Task Force found over a pound of marijuana, along with paraphernalia and cash during a search of a residence near the Tuscaloosa campus.
Holloway will face charges for first-degree possession of marijuana, classified as not for personal use, in addition to not having the appropriate tax stamps affixed. His bail was set at $5,000, allowing for his release shortly after the arrest.
This charge could lead to severe penalties, as it’s considered a Class C felony in Alabama, with sentences up to 10 years in prison and fines reaching $15,000.
While the official word on his status with the team was not provided, it’s clear that his situation is significant, and it’s uncertain how this might affect the team going forward.
Currently, Holloway is averaging 16.8 points per game with a 44% 3-point shooting rate. Even in their recent loss to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament, he managed to score 18 points.
As for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, the Crimson Tide is set to face Hofstra on Friday afternoon. This will be Hofstra’s first tournament appearance since 2001, having secured an automatic bid by winning the CAA Tournament. Alabama, meanwhile, is coming off a strong performance, with nine wins in their last 11 games.
