Alabama basketball will be without starting guard Aden Holloway for the Crimson Tide’s March 20 game vs. No. 13 seed Hofstra after he was arrested on two felonies on Monday, March 16, for possession 2.1 pounds of marijuana in his residence.
He’s slated to miss the entire first weekend and potentially more, should Alabama advance to the Sweet 16.
The 6-foot-1 junior is the Tide’s second-leading scorer, averaging 16.8 points with 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season as a first-year starter after coming off the bench last season. He was a starter at Auburn in 2023-24 as a true freshman.
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It’s a massive blow to the No. 4 seed Crimson Tide, which boasts one of the top backcourts in college basketball alongside sophomore Labaron Philon Jr. They take on No. 13 seed Hofstra in the first round on Friday, March 20.
Alabama will likely turn to Houston Mallette in Holloway’s absence. The fifth-year senior guard is averaging 6.6 points per game mostly in a bench role this season, averaging 23.3 minutes per game.
Here’s what to know of Holloway’s absence and why he was arrested before the NCAA Tournament:
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Nebraska Cornhuskers fans cheer after defeating the Troy Trojans during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
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A view of Buddy the Street Dog as Queens University of Charlotte Royals guard Yoav Berman talks to the media during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center in St. Louis on March 19, 2026.
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The High Point Panthers band performs prior to a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
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The South Florida Bulls mascot performs during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center on March 19, 2026 in Buffalo, NY.
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The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleaders perform in the first half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
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The Troy Trojans mascot dances on the floor during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
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The UCF Knights band performs during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 19, 2026 in Philadelphia.
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Nebraska Cornhuskers cheerleaders perform during the second half against the Troy Trojans during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center on March 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.
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A Wisconsin Badgers cheerleader performs during the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Or.
Why was Aden Holloway arrested?
Holloway was arrested on Monday, March 16 and charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and failure to affix a tax stamp after the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force found 2.1 pounds of marijuana in his residence.
He was transported to the Tuscaloosa County Jail and was set with a $5,000 bond, according to The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. The University of Alabama later released a statement and said he was removed from campus and won’t return to the team until the university’s office of student conduct finishes its investigation.
What Nate Oats said of Aden Holloway’s absence
Alabama coach Nate Oats said he has talked to Holloway since his arrest, and said he’ll continue supporting the junior guard. He also declined to speculate whether Holloway has any chance of returning to the Crimson Tide should they advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
“I’ve met with him in person, talked to him on the phone multiple times,” Oats said March 19. “Look, I’m an adult. I’ve made mistakes. We all have things we’d like to do differently. Now is not the time to ignore a kid that you’ve built a real relationship with. Now is the time he needs more love from the adults in his life than at any point. … you get into it to help impact young men’s lives. Well, if you disappear when they make a mistake, I’m not so sure that’s a genuine relationship you’ve built.
“I’ve got three daughters. They’ve made mistakes. You don’t disappear on them when they need your help. I won’t be disappearing on him. I talked to him yesterday morning on the phone. I talked to him the night before that. I’ve talked to him every day so far.”
Alabama center Aiden Sherrell also said the team still supports Holloway, but is focused on its first-round game.
“We’re just focusing on the task at hand. Biz (Holloway) is our brother,” Sherrell said. “We’re here for him, but we’re focused on the game and focused on making a long run in March.”
Aden Holloway stats
Here are Holloway’s per game averages during his three-year college career:
2023-24 (Auburn): 7.3 points with 1.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game on 31.8% shooting
2024-25 (Alabama): 11.4 points with 1.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game on 46.5% shooting
2025-26 (Alabama): 16.8 points with 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game on 48.1% shooting
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happened with Aden Holloway? Why Alabama star isn’t playing in March Madness
