Freshman Forward Out For Season

According to the Alabama Athletic Department, highly rated incoming freshman Alex Tchikou has torn his Achilles tendon and will miss the 2020-21 season. Tchikou, a 6-foot-11 forward reclassified into the 2020 class to begin his college career a year earlier. He underwent surgery on Wednesday and is expected to make a full recovery.

Tchikou was expected to contribute to this year's Crimson Tide roster as he develops his game further. Instead he will spend the season focused on recovery.

“It’s really tough to see Alex go down for the season,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said. “Alex is someone who arrived in early August and had quickly established himself in the locker room. He has been a great fit with our program in terms of his work ethic and character. More importantly, he is an upbeat young man with a terrific attitude about him which will be important as he begins his rehabilitation. We are fortunate to have the best medical team in the nation here at The University of Alabama and they will be alongside him every step of the way. We know he’s going to come back even stronger, and we look forward to getting him on the court next season.”

Alabama had forwards injured in preseason last year when James Rojas and Juwan Gary both tore ACLs costing them their season and the Crimson Tide needed depth.

Oats and the Tide are a bit more equipped to handle the loss of Tchikou given the strong recruiting class he was able to sign this past offseason.