The 2024-25 Alabama women's basketball allowed us to see levels that haven't been seen in Tuscaloosa since the late 90s. Though the team didn't get out of the first weekend again, the feel around this program has changed quite a bit.
When Sarah Ashlee Barker and Aaliyah Nye transferred to be part of Alabama's program, just a trip to the tournament seemed like the highest ceiling possible. These two players have elevated this program from the doldrums of the SEC basement to a team that has to be taken seriously.
The world got to see how special Barker was during the near win against Maryland in the Round of 32, and that alone brought a shining light to the Crimson Tide program. Now, high school girls coming up will want to be like Sarah and come to Alabama. Sharp shooters saw what Aaliyah Nye did from behind the arc throughout her tenure in Tuscaloosa, and in the three-point shooting contest before the Final Four last week brings the type of exposure this program needs to better compete with the SEC heavyweights.
Now, these players coming up from the high school ranks and those coming from the Transfer Portal see Alabama as a catalyst to the league and, hopefully, long professional careers. Barker seems to be going into a good situation in LA with players like Kelsey Plum, Cameron Brink, and Rikea Jackson.
Nye is heading to join the powerhouse that is Las Vegas to join one of the best in the game in A'ja Wilson, and then there is Zaay Green, who only spent one year at the Capstone, but her consistent scoring capabilities contributed to the consistent success this past season. Zaay was drafted by the Washington Mystics in the third round.
The success of the past season, in addition to the success of the WNBA draft, are the steps needed to continue the push to get back to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament next year. Though a lot of fire power has run out of eligibility in Tuscaloosa, the cupboard is far from bare, and between recruiting and the portal success of this past season should continue. Players will look to be the next Sarah Ashlee Barker, the next Aaliyah Nye, or Zaay Green, which bodes well for the direction of this program to become a consistently successful team in the SEC and nationally.