BIRMINGHAM — Alabama basketball center Collins Onyejiaka was not dressed to play in the Crimson Tide's exhibition against Auburn on Thursday, Oct. 22, appearing in street clothes before tipoff.
Alabama has not provided an official explanation for Onyejiaka's apparent absence. However, sources with knowledge of the situation informed the The Tuscaloosa News that the sophomore exited practice Monday, Oct. 19, with an apparent back injury after completing a lob dunk, and did not return.
The nature and severity of the apparent injury have not been confirmed by Alabama.
It is another setback for the 6-foot-11 center, whose freshman season was cut short by a heart condition. Onyejiaka underwent procedures to address the condition, and coach Nate Oats indicated in April the program was proceeding cautiously with his recovery.
Onyejiaka appeared in just two games during the 2025-26 season before being ruled out indefinitely in November.
Following Alabama's Oct. 8 exhibition against Furman, Oats confirmed Onyejiaka had been medically cleared to play. He was in uniform but did not see action, which Oats attributed to matchup considerations.
The Auburn exhibition marks Alabama's final preseason matchup before opening the 2026-27 regular season against Sam Houston on Nov. 3.
(This article will be updated with new information.)
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Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Why is Alabama basketball's Collins Onyejiaka in street clothes for Auburn exhibition?