It was a night I wasn't sure I'd ever see. Alabama Basketball unveiled its 2024 Final Four banner in a ceremony at Coleman Coliseum before having a dunk contest, three-point shootout, and a scrimmage in front of fans assembled.
Mark Sears hit 20/25 three point attempts in the final round of the contest to best Houston Mallette. Sears narrowly edged out Aden Holloway in the first round with Mallette easily beating Labaron Philon.
Mark Sears is a bucket. pic.twitter.com/WrklSTU7Lc
— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) October 12, 2024
Freshman Derrion Reid won the dunk contest by jumping over Big Al:
#Alabama basketball’s Derrion Reid isn’t taking any chances with the dunk contest championship.
— Emilee Smarr (@emilee_smarr) October 12, 2024
👀 Trick shot over Big Al gets the win. @tuscaloosanews pic.twitter.com/ulPxbon1Uq
Alabama Basketball went on a historic run in the 2024 NCAA Tournament to get to the first Final Four in program history. Entering as 4-seed, the Tide took down Charleston, Grand Canyon, North Carolina, and Clemson to get to the Final Four in Phoenix.
Alabama's fairy-tale run ended with a loss to UConn, which went on to win the national championship by beating Purdue.
Along with the banner, Alabama handed out the rings for last year's Final Four team:
A look at Alabama’s Final Four ring. pic.twitter.com/duWt7dZ0wz
— Jack Knowlton (@JackKnowlton_) October 12, 2024
Finally, Alabama unveiled the banner:
Alabama unveils its 2024 Final Four banner pic.twitter.com/k13JnjuU11
— Blake Byler (@blakebyler45) October 12, 2024
The Crimson Tide is gearing up for what could be another special season in Tuscaloosa with arguably the most talented roster in program history. Key contributors like Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, and Latrell Wrightsell return to go along with talented transfers like Cliff Omoruyi, Chris Youngblood, and Aden Holloway. Adding in the nation's No. 2 recruiting class, and Alabama has the talent to win the whole thing in 2025.
Alabama will play a couple of scrimmages in the next two and a half weeks as they gear up for the start of the regular season on November 4th against UNC Asheville.
Alabama will play charity exhibitions against Wake Forest on October 18th in Birmingham and Memphis on October 28th in Huntsville.