Alabama forward Braxton Key returns to non-contact practice
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Injured Alabama forward Braxton Key will return to practice Friday for the first time since undergoing a meniscus surgery on Nov. 8, head coach Avery Johnson announced during his news conference.
“Braxton Key will participate in the non-contact part of our practice today and tomorrow, based on how he recovers,” Johnson said.
During his freshman season last year, Key led Alabama with 12 points per game. He also ranked second on the team with 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists and was third on the team in blocks with 21.
Once he returns, the sophomore is someone who can offer Alabama plenty of versatility on the floor. Key, 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, can play anywhere from the No. 2 to the No. 4 positions and will allow Johnson to be more flexible with how he uses his lineup.
Lately, Alabama has elected to start both Daniel Giddens, 6-foot-11, 247 pounds, and Donta Hall, 6-foot-9, 232 pounds. Hall is averaging 10.6 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game. He’s also shooting at team-high 73.3 percent from the floor. Giddens has struggled with early foul trouble and is averaging just 2.4 points and two rebounds per game but is another possible scoring threat down low.
Key’s absence has also allowed for more playing time for freshmen Alex Reese, 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, and Galin Smith, 6-foot-9, 235 pounds.
“We’ve always talked about versatility,” Johnson said. “We’ve had lineups where we’ve had two bigs in there together, whether it’s Daniel and Donta or even Galin and Donta. But we’ve also been able to go small at the 4 position.
Johnson also said he is unopposed to going with a smaller lineup in the future, mentioning both Riley Norris, 6-foot-7, 210 pounds and Herbert Jones, 6-foot-7, 200 pounds as possibilities at the No. 4 spot.
“We have a lineup where we can go really small and maybe play Reese at 5 and play four smaller guys around him,” Johnson. “We have a lot of versatility this year, and we think that’s one of the strengths of our team.”
No. 24 Alabama (6-1) hosts Central Florida (4-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPNU.