PHOTO: Alabama HC Nate Oats spotted at Game 5 of NBA Finals
Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball coach Nate Oats was seen in attendance at the TD Garden for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday. The Boston Celtics had a 3-1 lead in the series against the Dallas Mavericks and had a chance to win their 18th championship in franchise history. The TD Garden was packed with stars and decorated athletes from all across the globe.
The Crimson Tide's coach was captured on the live telecast during the initial five minutes of the game wearing a solid grey polo.
The team Oats was rooting for is unknown. However, he might have been siding with the men in green since a former Alabama player, JD Davison, was part of the winning roster.
JD Davison played as a freshman under Nate Oats and averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He was given SEC’s All-Freshman team honor before he skipped his college eligibility to declare for the NBA.
Davison was selected as the 53rd pick by the Celtics in the 2022 draft. He appeared in just eight games for the Celtics in the 2023-24 season and played primarily with the team's G-League affiliate, the Maine Celtics. He averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 8.6 assists in 28 games this season.
Nate Oats and Alabama will get a chance to test their skills early this season
Nate Oats’ squad will have a thrilling beginning to the 2024-25 season. The Crimson Tide is aligned to participate in the first-ever Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. The tournament will begin on November 26, nearly a week before the ACC/SEC matchups begin, and features some of the best teams in the collegiate circuit.
Alongside Alabama, the inaugural class of participants include Houston, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, San Diego State, Oregon, Rutgers, and Creighton.
Alabama will play its first game against Houston in the tournament before going against either Notre Dame or Rutgers. Moreover, they begin their conference journey by playing North Carolina on December 4.
The event can act as a litmus test for the coaches to test their team's chemistry and mettle while providing student-athletes with an NCAA-type atmosphere and potential NIL opportunities.
The Players Era Festival will be a 33-game tournament with chances of more than $1 million NIL opportunities. There will also be ample entertainment and mentorship on finance for students.