Fans hoping for quick clarity on Amari Allen's pending stay-or-go decision will have to wait longer.
The Crimson Tide's star freshman stirred up the fanbase on Thursday night with a captionless Instagram post of him wearing the hard hat in the aftermath of an Alabama win last season:
A new, captionless IG story from Amari Allen.
— Emilee Smarr (@emilee_smarr) May 22, 2026
NBA Draft deadline is May 27.@tuscaloosanews pic.twitter.com/AsHsbNJMeD
That had Alabama fans hoping an announcement of Allen returning for his sophomore season was imminent. Instead, Allen told 247's Brett Greenberg that he would be making his final decision on May 27th, the final day of the NCAA's deadline to exit the NBA Draft process, with workouts scheduled with four NBA teams between now and then:
NEW: Amari Allen will make his final decision whether to make his return to Alabama or stay in the NBA Draft on May 27 (NCAA deadline), he tells me for @Bama_247
— Brett Greenberg (@BrettGreenberg_) May 22, 2026
Added that he is set for workouts with the Grizzlies, Knicks, Thunder & Heat beforehand.https://t.co/RT4dNcXXGR pic.twitter.com/ZWJuwU8lJz
Amari Allen set to make his final decision on the NBA Draft on May 27th
Allen has slipped in most mock drafts coming out of the NBA Combine. Allen's athletic testing was impressive, but he measured three inches shorter (6-foot-5) in Chicago than what he was listed at during his freshman season at Alabama.
ESPN and Yahoo Sports draft experts had Allen slipping into the second round in their latest mocks. Allen said at the Combine that it would take a first-round promise for him to stay in the draft.
The teams Allen is working out for in the coming days should give an indication to him - and others - of where his draft stock is.
The Grizzlies have two first-round picks at No. 3 and No. 16. No. 3 is obviously out of the question, and No. 16 would represent a significant reach for Allen. The more realistic spot Memphis might be interested in selecting him is at No. 32, two picks into the second round.
The Knicks pick at No. 24, but they also pick at No. 31 to open the second round.
Oklahoma City has the No. 37 pick in the second round, but also holds two first-round picks at No. 12 and No. 17, but with a roster that is close to full for next season already, most experts expect the Thunder to explore packaging their two first-rounders in an attempt to move into the Top 10. Allen wouldn't likely be in play for them until the second round.
The Heat go from pick No. 13, which has been a popular landing spot for Labaron Philon in mock drafts, to pick No. 41 for their second selection of the draft.
Allen has undoubtedly already worked out with other teams, but as the process nears its end, it's clear that his stock seems to be sitting right where most experts believe, based on the teams that are bringing him in for workouts.
But even if Allen has made up his mind that he's going to return to Alabama next season, there's no harm in accepting those workouts. It's an opportunity for face time with NBA shot-callers, which could help his standing for the 2027 draft. He'll also be able to gather more direct feedback on the parts of his game that need work.
So while Alabama fans might be disappointed to have to wait a little bit longer, significant optimism remains that Allen is going to return to the Crimson Tide next season.
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