August 5 is the date that the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team will depart Tuscaloosa to begin festivities in Europe. The Tide will play games in France and Spain as part of the European exhibitions.

Those exhibitions will consist of matchups against three different teams and will test the chemistry of a unit with a lot of new faces. Questions naturally remain after a 2021-22 season which fell short of expectations, but the players on the 2022-23 team feel good about team chemistry and are excited to take the trip.

Following the July 29 practice, media members were able to speak with head coach Nate Oats and a number of Crimson Tide players.

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"I'm really excited," said sophomore center Charles Bediako. "I've actually been to Paris before, so I'm actually excited to go back over there, and Spain, I'm really excited, if we get the chance, I do want to go see the Barcelona soccer arena."

"I think it actually will bring us closer together as a group, especially sightseeing together, cultural meetings, and just... bonding."

Texas Tech transfer Nimari Burnett, who missed all of last season due to injury, is set to debut in crimson and white this fall. He said, "chemistry is really good thus far, so, bring that into Barcelona and Paris and keep this thing going."

"I'm really excited about the guys... Good personalities, and [the trip] is going to show us where we are right now and where we will be."

Forward Noah Gurley echoed Bediako's desire to see Camp Nou, adding that once in paris he's "tryna see PSG... I hope I run into Messi, or Mbappe, or Neymar. I'm trying to see the Eiffel Tower for sure."

"All of us being able to go over there and experience that together, that's gonna be something we remember for a lifetime... That'll be some good competition."

Alabama is set to play the Spain Select Team in Barcelona. Paris features two different opponents, the Chinese National Team and the Lithuania men's B Team.

2021 SEC Championship Game Alabama vs. Georgia

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs 41-24 to win the 2021 SEC Championship.

2021 SEC Championship Game Alabama vs. Georgia

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs 41-24 to win the 2021 SEC Championship.

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