The Alabama basketball season is over. Following a 90-77 loss to Michigan in the Sweet 16, the Crimson Tide finished at 25-10. It was a good season, maybe even a great one if you consider the challenges this team faced.
Nate Oats and Preston Murphy made some mistakes in the Transfer Portal last year. Noah Williamson, Jalil Bethea, and Keitenn Bristow were practically non-factors. Taylor Bol Bowen battled injuries all year. Freshmen Davion Hannah and Collins Onyejiaka barely played due to injury/medical concerns.
And in spite of all that, this team still won 25 games and made it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season, a first in program history. It's hard to argue that Oats squeezed all the juice he could out of this team. It was a flawed roster from the outset, but thanks to a big year from Labaron Philon and some elite shot-making ability across the roster, the Crimson Tide still had a pretty good year.
Pretty good isn't enough for Oats, who strives to bring a national championship to Alabama. He knows there's got to be some roster-building changes this offseason, but determining the needs in the portal isn't going to be easy with a lot of uncertainty.
Nate Oats facing a lot of uncertainty with 2026-27 Alabama roster construction
The Seniors
Latrell Wrightsell, Houston Mallette, and Noah Williamson are all seniors and out of eligibility.
The NBA Decisions:
Labaron Philon is a lock to be selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft and could very well be a lottery pick. While Philon stated after the loss to Michigan that he had a decision to make, Oats commented that it wasn't much of a decision at all. His star sophomore guard will move on.
Freshman Amari Allen, on the other hand, will face a decision. He's been projected as a potential first-rounder for the last couple of months, but he hit the freshman wall hard enough down the stretch that he certainly could return to school. He has a similar draft projection this year that Philon had a year ago, and he'll have Oats (and Philon) in his ear advising him on what an extra season might do for his draft stock.
The Wildcards
There's no bigger wildcard than Aden Holloway, who missed the NCAA Tournament after being arrested and charged with felony marijuana possession. His future at both Alabama and on the basketball court is in doubt.
Holloway would undoubtedly be a big part of the plan for next season, assuming he doesn't shop around in the Transfer Portal looking to land a monster deal in his final season of eligibility. His arrest probably complicates that, too, and makes it more likely that if he's able to play next season, it'll be in Tuscaloosa.
Sophomore center Aiden Sherrell is also a guy who could potentially test the Transfer Portal to gauge his value. He made a tremendous leap from his freshman to sophomore seasons, becoming a more well-rounded offensive player and a legitimate rim protector on defense.
Big guys are at a premium in college basketball, and he would command a hefty price on the open market.
Freshman Collins Onyejiaka is also a wildcard based on the heart issues that kept him out of all but two games early in the season. His future playing basketball is very much in question.
Potential Transfer Portal Candidates
Keitenn Bristow has seemed like an obvious Transfer Portal departure since his injury and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his ability to return to the court. The Tarleton State transfer seems likely to head back to the portal after just 10 games in Tuscaloosa.
Jalil Bethea would also seem like a candidate to re-enter the portal after just a season with Alabama. The Miami (FL) transfer struggled to get into the Tide's rotation this year, though Oats has spoken highly of his attitude and would seemingly welcome him back next year.
Taylor Bol Bowen's future would seemingly be in doubt, too, after an up-and-down year with the Crimson Tide. Alabama has to get better in the frontcourt next year, and perhaps a healthy Bol Bowen would help with that. Or perhaps both would be better off moving on from one another.
Freshmen London Jemison and Davion Hannah aren't locks to come back, either. Jemison seems likely to be prioritized to return. Hannah could come back, or could seek more playing time elsewhere.
Alabama's incoming recruiting class
Alabama has the No. 10 recruiting class for next season, per the 247 composite, with three commitments from prospects in the Top 40 of the 2026 rankings.
Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson, and Tarris Bouie are all versatile, big wings that signal a change in Oats' roster-building philosophy.
The Transfer Portal Targets
Alabama will be looking for a guard in the portal, regardless of what happens with Holloway. If Holloway leaves, they'll need to pay a premium for an elite, on-ball guard. If he's back, finding some depth at the position will still be necessary.
Allen's future will have a lot to do with who Oats is targeting in the portal.
Improvement in the front court will have to come, regardless of Sherrell's decision. Another legitimate center is necessary, along with a PF or two.
This era of college basketball requires a delicate balancing act. Oats and Murphy are used to that, but it is ramped up a notch during this cycle with so many variables.