Alabama Basketball: Tide without every starter from last year

Alabama basketball will have to replace a ton of talent.

Alabama basketball saw more success last season than they did the decade prior to it, but they’ll have to replace more talent than some teams have. In fact, the Crimson Tide lost every regular starter from last year’s conference-winning team.

Alabama had six players start more than seven games last year, and every player is now no longer part of the team. Most graduated, like Jordan Bruner, Herb Jones, John Petty and Alex Reese. However, the Tide also lost two underclassmen before they expected to.

Josh Primo declared for the NBA Draft after just one season with Alabama basketball, and many were surprised by this. However, after a successful pre-draft process, he chose to stay in the draft. He’ll be one of the youngest players in this year’s class, but he still has the potential to go in the first round this year.

The other underclassman to leave was just as surprising. Jaden Shackelford declared for the draft, but he had the option to return. To keep his options open, he also entered his name in the transfer portal. That means that even if he decides to return to college, it likely won’t be with Alabama basketball.

Shack led the Crimson Tide in points last year thanks to his prolific three-point shooting, and he will thrive on whatever team he plays for next. Still, this leaves Alabama with practically no starting experience on the roster.

Thankfully, Alabama will still have a deep roster this year. Jahvon Quinerly rarely started last year, but he was the best player during Alabama’s run through the postseason. Alabama also brings in multiple transfers with experience at the college level. Expect Nimari Burnett and Noah Gurley to see large roles this season.

Of course, a discussion surrounding next year has to include JD Davison. Davison is ready to take over college basketball, and he’ll do so in a crimson jersey.

While Alabama basketball’s starting lineup will be filled with new faces, that doesn’t mean that the Crimson Tide will struggle. They have the talent and depth necessary to make another run through the SEC and into the NCAA Tournament.