Rylan Griffen was a surprising transfer out of Alabama basketball last off-season, ultimately landing at Kansas. After a disappointing year with the Jayhawks, Griffen is back in the Transfer Portal, prompting rumors of a potential reunion in Tuscaloosa.
A name to watch for Alabama. Don’t think a reunion’s out of the question https://t.co/76xl4IiiR2
— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) March 31, 2025
Griffen spent the first two years of his career at Alabama before transferring to Kansas last year. With the Jayhawks, Griffen's numbers went down across the board from what he put up as a sophomore with the Crimson Tide:
2024-25: 6.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 APG 37/34/68 shooting splits
2023:24: 11.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.9 APG 45/39/81 shooting splits
Griffen's numbers cratered in Lawrence and it's no surprise to see him back in the Transfer Portal. He had a difficult time fitting in with Bill Self's system and with one final season of eligibility remaining, Griffen will be looking to play somewhere that can maximize his ability.
That could mean a return to Tuscaloosa. Griffen is a proven commodity in Oats' system with his ability as a 3-and-D wing. His length was missed this season, and at 6-foot-6, he fits the mold of what Oats is clearly looking for in the portal this off-season as he looks to mold Alabama into an elite defensive team next season.
Dominos will have to begin falling soon for Alabama basketball
Alabama is targeting some talented players in the Transfer Portal, but as of now they still only have one available spot on the roster. Alabama has four outgoing seniors and a three-man recruiting class, putting them currently at 12 scholarship players out of the allotted 13 slots.
There will be further roster attrition, but for now it is anyone's guess as to who might be leaving. The consensus seems to be that Labaron Philon will test the NBA Draft waters, though he has not formally made a decision yet.
The deadline to enter the NBA Draft is April 26th, and players can maintain collegiate eligibility all the way until June 15th, the withdrawal deadline.
Last season, Alabama's Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, and Jarin Stevenson all tested the NBA waters before ultimately withdrawing and returning to school. It's possible that some other players on the team - Stevenson again, Aiden Sherrell, Derrion Reid, and Aden Holloway, to name a few - could declare for the draft to garner valuable feedback from NBA scouts.
Expect there to be some news breaking in the coming days as decisions get made.