Alabama star guard Aden Holloway has been reinstated, but he’s not hitting the court right away. Holloway will be suspended for the first two games of the 2026-27 season against Sam Houston and Arkansas State, following felony drug charges earlier this summer.
The “Second Chance” Program and What It Means
Look, this whole situation is wild. Holloway was arrested on felony drug charges, and that’s not something you just shake off. He ended up entering the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s “second chance” program as part of his plea agreement. The good news for him is he qualified because he was a first-time offender and the felonies were non-violent. But it’s not a free pass. The program demands random drug testing, 50 hours of community service, and a bunch of educational courses. Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne didn’t mince words about it either, telling Al.com, “We were disappointed by the choices Aden made, but we have been encouraged by the way he has responded.” That’s a good sign, but the consequences are still very real. He’ll also miss three exhibition games against Furman, Ole Miss, and Auburn.
How The Crimson Tide Fared Without Him
This isn’t the first time Holloway has been sidelined by these charges. He was suspended from campus and didn’t even play in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Without him, the Crimson Tide still managed to make a run, picking up wins over Hofstra and Texas Tech before finally falling to eventual national champion Michigan in the Sweet 16. That’s a solid showing, but you have to wonder how much further they could’ve gone with their second-leading scorer on the floor. Holloway transferred from Auburn in 2024 and in his second season, he put up some serious numbers, averaging 16.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds. He was a crucial part of that offense, right behind star guard Labaron Philon Jr. in scoring.
So, when does Holloway actually suit up? The Crimson Tide opens their season on November 3 against Sam Houston, but Holloway won’t be back until their third game of the season on November 9, when they face Oakland. Alabama fans are gonna be pumped to see him back on the court, but he’s definitely got some work to do to make up for lost time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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