Ex-Alabama football linebacker Keanu Koht will have a change in NIL representation.

A&P Sports Agency announced Tuesday that it is no longer representing Koht.

“A&P Agency announces they have decided to part ways with Keanu Koht, effective 11/25/2024,” the agency released in a statement to AL.com. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors. No further details will be provided at this time.”

Koht, when reached for comment via Instagram on Tuesday by AL.com, said he “cut ties with them.”

Koht had been suspended from the Crimson Tide before announcing before the Oklahoma game that he had decided to enter the transfer portal.

“After careful reflection and consideration, I’ve come to realize that I’ve outgrown the shoes I once wore here,” Koht said as part of statement released by A&P Sports Agency a week ago. “With that in mind, I have made the decision to enter my name into the transfer portal, with two years of eligibility remaining. This was not an easy choice, but it’s one I believe is best for my future and personal growth.”

The transfer portal will officially open Dec. 9.

Koht did not travel with the team to LSU, and Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said he was suspended prior to the Mercer game.

“I’m not going to get into length or anything like that,” DeBoer said Mercer week.

Koht spent the last four seasons with the Crimson Tide. He didn’t play as a freshman in 2021, then largely worked as a reserve the rest of the time. He played in seven games this season, tallying five tackles, 0.5 sacks and recovering one fumble.

Next up, Alabama will face Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

Alabama basketball’s run in the Players Era Festival starts with another fellow returning NCAA Tournament contender.

The No. 9 Crimson Tide (4-1) is set to face No. 7 Houston on Tuesday to kick off its Thanksgiving tournament appearance in Las Vegas, NV.

It will be the first time that Alabama and Houston (3-1) have met since coach Nate Oats and company traveled to Texas in December 2022, returning to Tuscaloosa with a 71-65 victory.

The teams are tied in the series with three wins and three losses each.

Here’s how Alabama fans can tune in to see the Crimson Tide compete for over $59 million in NIL.

TIDE TAKES VEGAS: What to know about Alabama basketball in Players Era Festival: NIL millions and more

LOOKING BACK: Alabama basketball, Nate Oats react to 100-point game with zero points from Mark Sears

What channel is Alabama vs. Houston today?

• TV channel: TBS
• Streaming: Sling, Hulu, Max

Alabama and Houston’s top 10 matchup on Tuesday will be broadcast on TBS, which can be streamed via Sling, Hulu or the B/R Sports package for Max.

Watch Alabama basketball with Sling!

Alabama basketball vs. Houston start time

• Date: Tuesday, November 26
• Start time: 7 p.m. CT

The Alabama vs. Houston game will be played at approximately 7 p.m. CT Tuesday at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Alabama basketball schedule for 2024-25 season

Record: (4-1)

• Nov. 4: UNC-Asheville (W 110-54)
• Nov. 8: Arkansas State (W 88-79)
• Nov. 11: McNeese State (W 72-64)
• Nov. 15: at Purdue (L 87-78)
• Nov. 20: Illinois − C.M. Newton Classic (W 100-87)
• Nov. 26: Houston − Players Era Festival, 7 p.m. CT
• Nov. 27: Rutgers − Players Era Festival, 9 p.m. CT
• Nov. 30: TBD (originally Notre Dame) − Players Era Festival, TBD
• Dec. 4: at UNC − SEC/ACC Challenge, 6:15 p.m. CT
• Dec. 14: Creighton, 7:30 p.m. CT
• Dec. 18: at North Dakota, 7:30 p.m. CT
• Dec. 22: Kent State, 12 p.m. CT
• Dec. 29: South Dakota State, 2 p.m. CT
• Jan. 4: Oklahoma, 5 p.m. CT
• Jan. 8: at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT
• Jan. 11: at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. CT
• Jan. 14: Ole Miss, 6 p.m. CT
• Jan. 19: at Kentucky, 11 a.m. CT
• Jan. 21: Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT
• Jan. 25: LSU, 7:30 p.m. CT
• Jan. 29: at Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT
• Feb. 1: Georgia, 11 a,m./1 or 3 p.m. CT
• Feb. 8: at Arkansas, 7 p.m. CT
• Feb. 11: at Texas, 8 p.m. CT
• Feb. 15: Auburn, 3 p.m. CT
• Feb. 19: at Missouri, 8 p.m. CT
• Feb. 22: Kentucky, 5 p.m. CT
• Feb. 25: Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT
• Mar. 1: at Tennessee, 12 or 3 p.m. CT
• Mar. 5: Florida, 6 p.m. CT
• Mar. 8: at Auburn, 1 p.m. CT

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Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

Alabama men’s basketball doesn’t need or want Mark Sears to fill the role he did in 2023-24.

Sears doesn’t need to be the player averaging 21.5 points and 33.6 minutes per game for this version of the Crimson Tide to succeed at a high level. And frankly, it’s going to be a challenge for him to do that again, as it already has been. Teams are too aware of him.

“First thing is, he’s got to understand it’s going to be a lot different than any other college year for him because he’s preseason player of the year, people are going to design their defense to stop him,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said. “He may play a game where he has an unbelievably great game and only scores five points but he moves the ball around and attracts so much attention that it makes it easier for his teammates.”

Sears’ role on this new roster has moved to center stage after he scored no points and didn’t play as much in a win over Illinois last week. He played 13 minutes in the first half then eight minutes in the second. Sears finished 0-for-5 and 0-for-4 from deep. Yet No. 8 Alabama won 100-87 at Legacy Arena in the CM Newton Classic.

Alabama got strong play from its other guards: Labaron Philon, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Aden Holloway. Philon scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and tallied nine assists. Wrightsell Jr. also scored 16 but had two rebounds and four assists. Then Holloway scored 18 and made 3 of 4 from deep.

Alabama didn’t have that much talent or depth in its backcourt a season ago. Especially when Wrightsell missed time with injuries. So Sears had to be the guy almost all the time and play a bunch of minutes for the Crimson Tide to play at a high level.

Now he doesn’t have to do as much, even though he’s capable.

“I think one, he’s got to quit pressing,” Oats said. “He’s not going to average as many points this year as he did last year. We knew that coming in. People are going to focus on him. We’ve got more talent around him. It just is what it is. He’s got to do it takes to help us win games.”

Sometimes, Oats said, that will be moving the ball and getting assists. Other games, he will be a decoy, attracting attention away so others can get open looks. And then there will be nights where teams let Sears score a bunch and prevent others from having an impact.

“He’s just got to get comfortable with the new role and get comfortable with doing whatever it takes to win and understanding that there’s going to be games he’s just not going to score that many,” Oats said. “We’ve got to do a decent job screening for him to get him open. Give him enough space to get downhill. Keep him playing aggressive without being overly aggressive to where he’s trying to score on multiple opponents. He’s got to stay aggressive and make the right reads when they bring multiple defenders to him.”

Next up, No. 9 Alabama (4-1) will play in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, starting with a game against No. 6 Houston on Tuesday (7 p.m. CT, TBS). Then the Crimson Tide will face Rutgers on Wednesday (9 p.m. CT, TBS).

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.