Why didn't center Noah Williamson make Alabama basketball debut vs FSU? When will he return?

Noah Williamson didn't dress out for Alabama basketball's exhibition against FSU. Why the Bucknell transfer was missing.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Noah Williamson was a piece that Alabama basketball's front court was missing against Florida State.

Although the Crimson Tide walked away with a 109-105 exhibition victory at Boutwell Auditorium, defense around the rim and rebounding were lacking. The absence of the senior Bucknell transfer center Williamson, who didn't dress out for the game, didn't go unfelt.

Why was Williamson out? The injury bug took a bite out of Alabama, yet again.

Why didn't Noah Williamson dress out for Alabama basketball?

Head coach Nate Oats told Chris Stewart of the Crimson Tide Sports Network ahead of tip-off that Williamson was out with a "minor knee injury." However, Oats expects for Williamson to be in action for Alabama's second exhibition game at Furman on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Florida State dominated the offensive glass, outrebounding Alabama 23-13. Short-staffed, the Crimson Tide started sophomore Aiden Sherrell, who was seen icing his knee in the second half, and played freshman Collins Onyejiaka off the bench for four minutes at the No. 5 spot.

Alabama's defensive performance can be heavily attributed to the lack of a true big with the veteran experience brought by Cliff Omoruyi during the team's Elite Eight run. But Oats noted in press conferences ahead of meeting Florida State that Williamson isn't the most "athletic," and that learning Alabama's pace has been a growing pain for the former Bison. Bucknell's pace at the end of the 2024-25 season came out to an average 67.5 possessions per game, while Alabama surged as the fastest team in the country with an adjusted tempo of 75.3.

Prior to Alabama, Williamson was the 2025 Patriot League Player of the Year after averaging 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

What Alabama looks like with a natural center after starting Sherrell, a power forward at 6-foot-10, 255 pounds, will be telling when the Crimson Tide takes on the Paladins in Greenville.

Nov 9, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Bucknell Bison center Noah Williamson (3) shoots the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Injury for Alabama basketball center Noah Williamson revealed

Category: General Sports