In a stunning development out of Tuscaloosa, Crimson Tide star guard Aden Holloway was arrested by Tuscaloosa County Police earlier today on a felony drug charge just four days before Alabama is set to play in the NCAA tournament.
What Exactly Holloway Has Been Charged With
During a press conference early Monday morning, Tuscaloosa County Police spokesperson Stephanie Taylor laid out what led to Holloway’s arrest and the charges associated with it. Taylor said that agents with the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force searched a residence near the University of Alabama campus and had recovered “more than a pound of marijuana, paraphernalia, and cash”.
Shortly after the discovery, Holloway was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and failure to affix a tax stamp. Holloway was then transported to the county jail, and his bond was set at $5,000. It is unclear from the jail records whether Holloway is still being held at this time. The charges given to Holloway can carry a penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a fine of $15,000, according to Alabama state law.
Impact of Holloway’s Potential Absence
If Holloway is unable to suit up for the Crimson Tide’s first-round game on Friday afternoon, Alabama will be down one of their best players for that game. Holloway has put together an impressive junior season in Tuscaloosa, as he’s averaging a career-best 17 points per game while shooting 44% from three-point range. Holloway’s scoring has been crucial for Alabama this season, as the Crimson Tide ranks third in the country in offense.
Alabama earned the number 4 seed in the Midwest region of the NCAA tournament after posting an impressive 23-9 record this season. Backup guard Latrell Wrightsell will likely start in Holloway’s place if the star guard is unable to play for the team. Alabama will also have to place a much higher offensive load on both Labaron Philon Jr., and Amari Allen in Holloway’s potential absence. The Crimson Tide offense will simply not be the same without their second-leading scorer.
The Alabama Crimson Tide program has not yet commented on this recent event at this time. The Crimson Tide are set to travel to Tampa Bay for their NCAA tournament first-round game against the 13-seed Hofstra Pride on Friday afternoon.
