Alabama basketball: DeVonta Smith sends priceless message to Nate Oats

Former Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith sent a priceless message to Crimson Tide basketball coach Nate Oats ahead of the team’s Sweet 16 matchup with UCLA Sunday night.

The Alabama Crimson Tide have made it all the way to the Sweet 16 and are favorites ahead of Sunday night’s matchup against UCLA. Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats has gotten his team this far for the first time since 2004 and excitement is high.

Alabama is mostly known as a football school. But even the gridiron stars are loving the hoops hype as seen by Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith’s tweet about Sunday’s game. He may be preparing for the NFL Draft, however, he is ready to hoop if they need another man on the floor.

DeVonta Smith jokes he’s ready to play basketball for Alabama in the Sweet 16

Oats’ team has had a great start to the NCAA Tournament with double-digit wins over both Iona and Maryland. Now comes a real test against a UCLA squad that began their journey with a First Four victory in overtime over Michigan State. Two double-digit victories followed.

In past years the Crimson Tide could always use more help. This time around, Smith can continue to focus on being one of the top receivers in the 2021 NFL draft class. The Crimson Tide star capped off his career with 12 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns against Ohio State in the National Championship Game. That came in about one half before he left with a finger injury.

Oats showed up to Alabama in 2019 and has the program on a winning path. Now he will hope to become the next legendary coach at the school and make sure everyone wants to suit up in a Crimson Tide basketball uniform.

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