Alabama has already landed three players in the Transfer Portal with more on the horizon, but until Saturday, there had been no official announcement about any of last season's roster returning.
We knew that Labaron Philon was going to the draft, and Latrell Wrightsell, Houston Mallette, and Noah Williamson were out of eligibility.
Now, Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide know they'll be returning a promising freshman for his sophomore season.
London Jemison, who started 13 games for Alabama in his first season in Tuscaloosa, announced he would be back next year:
Six is back. pic.twitter.com/bX4OPEnclb
— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) April 18, 2026
London Jemison to return to Alabama for his sophomore season
Jemison was a 4-star recruit in the 2025 cycle and was Alabama's highest-rated signee in the class at No. 38 overall in the 247 composite. He showed a lot of promise as a freshman, playing in 33 games and starting 13. Down the stretch, Jemison was the Crimson Tide's starter at the four spot.
Jemison averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while playing 15.5 minutes a night. He shot 34.8% from three, which projects to continue to improve. He was billed as a high-level shooter coming out of high school, and Oats complimented his ability throughout the season.
With Alabama's frontcourt additions of Brandon Garrison and Jamarion Davis-Fleming in the frontcourt, along with the pursuit of other forwards such as Boise State's Drew Fielder, who is on campus for a visit this weekend, Jemison will likely see more time at the three for the Crimson Tide next season.
He frequently had to play up and out of position as a four and even small-ball five this season. He did the job admirably, but he's much more comfortable on the wing. With Oats' insistence on getting bigger this offseason, bringing back a 6-foot-8 wing player was a high priority.
Outside of Amari Allen, who is still weighing whether or not to enter the NBA Draft, Jemison was probably the most important player for Oats to retain at this point.
There's a world where he makes a significant sophomore leap into a double-digit scoring option on the wing.
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