A big pivot point for Alabama this offseason is what star freshman Amari Allen ultimately decides to do. He's currently testing the NBA Draft process, and while Nate Oats has stated that the Crimson Tide has contingency plans in place for both Allen and Aden Holloway, it's tough to envision a scenario in which Alabama finds someone better than Allen to replace him.
Getting him back would ensure that this offseason is a win for the Crimson Tide, regardless of what happens with Holloway's legal hurdles.
And on the first day of the NBA Combine, a red flag popped up for Allen that could send him back to Tuscaloosa for his sophomore season.
Amari Allen measured at just 6-foot-5 without shoes at the NBA Combine
Listed at 6-foot-8, Allen measured in at 6-foot-5 and a quarter on Monday at the Combine, which could have a major impact on his draft stock:
2026 AWS NBA Draft Combine anthro measurements for Alabama’s Amari Allen:
— Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) May 11, 2026
6'5 ¼" barefoot, 204.6 pounds with a 6'8" wingspan and 8'3 ½" standing reach pic.twitter.com/b11zWjcxXb
Not only is the height concerning, but the wingspan and standing reach are red flags, too, especially if teams viewed Allen as more of a wing rather than a guard. His measurements are those of a guard.
And that's exactly what could lead him back to Tuscaloosa for another season. Oats called Allen a guard for the majority of his freshman season, and he spent quite a bit of time on-ball, but it's not controversial to say those are skills he needs to continue to develop. And what better place to develop them than the guard haven of Tuscaloosa under Oats?
This could also be a reason Oats hasn't gone after a guard in the Transfer Portal so far. He's leaving the spots open for Holloway and Allen, which would be Alabama's starting backcourt next season if both return.
Allen has a strong all-around game, but improving his playmaking and spending even more time on-ball could really help his stock for next season. He's got great size for a guard, but NBA teams would undoubtedly like to see him play that a little more before being comfortable using a first-round pick on him.
Allen's surprising measurements could be highly beneficial for Alabama's 2026-27 outlook.
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