Alabama guard Aden Holloway was granted permission by a Tuscaloosa district court judge to travel out of state while facing felony drug charges, per multiple reports Friday.
No. 4 seed Alabama (25-9) faces No. 1 seed Michigan (33-3) on Friday night in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 in Chicago.
Despite the ruling, the university’s athletics department released a statement saying “nothing has changed with regard to Aden’s status with the team.”
Holloway is listed on the NCAA availability report as “out” for Friday’s game, with the final report set to be released two hours before the 7:35 p.m. ET tipoff.
Adding Holloway to Friday’s lineup would be a challenge as schools are required to avoid surprises when it comes to the availability of significant players. Additionally, he would reportedly need to be cleared by Alabama’s student conduct office before taking part in team activities.
Holloway, 21, was removed from campus, suspended indefinitely and has not been with the team since his March 16 arrest for felony drug possession after a police search of his apartment yielded 2.1 pounds of marijuana, just shy of the amount that would trigger a drug trafficking charge under Alabama law.
The junior was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana (not for personal use), a Class C felony. He also was charged with failure to affix a tax stamp, another felony. He paid a $5,000 bond and was released from jail.
As a condition of his bail, Holloway was required to request permission to leave the state of Alabama. He requested to travel out of state on Friday and return Tuesday, per The Athletic.
If Alabama makes it past Michigan, the Crimson Tide would play either Tennessee or Iowa State in the Elite Eight on Sunday.
–Field Level Media
