Alabama's 2026-27 roster isn't quite set yet, but with the Transfer Portal closing soon and the Crimson Tide landing its fourth addition in Boise State's Drew Fielder, it's time to take an early look at what next season's starting lineup could be.
There are still a few variables to sort through. For instance, Alabama still has a couple of open roster spots it could fill. Adding at least one additional guard seems paramount moving forward because of the other two variables.
Amari Allen declared for the NBA Draft on Sunday night while maintaining his college eligibility. He'll have until May 27th to withdraw his name and return to Alabama for his sophomore season, just like Labaron Philon did a year ago. It all depends on how he performs in the pre-draft circuit, particularly during the NBA Combine week of May 10-17.
The other variable is the legal hurdles facing Aden Holloway, who was arrested on multiple felony counts of marijuana possession just a few days before the NCAA Tournament. Alabama's lack of urgency in pursuing a guard in the Transfer Portal should tell you that Nate Oats and the administration feel confident things will work out over the summer, and he'll be able to play.
Let's assume Holloway can play, and project the Tide's starting five.
Projecting Alabama's starting 5 for 2026-27 with and without Amari Allen
If Allen bypasses the draft and returns to Alabama:
PG: Aden Holloway
SG: Amari Allen
SF: London Jemison
PF: Drew Fielder
C: Brandon Garrison
So that starting five would be 6-foot-1 Holloway and then four players who are 6-foot-8 or taller. That was the vision Oats had for the 2026-26 roster, too, until Philon unexpectedly returned, and Alabama's best option in the backcourt featured two players 6-foot-4 and shorter.
Oats accomplished his mission of getting bigger in the frontcourt, while also getting bigger in the backcourt. There's still plenty of shooting in that starting group, too, with Holloway and Fielder having shot 40%+from three last season, and both Allen and Jemison with the potential to take major steps forward this offseason.
Alabama's bench would include a three-man freshman class of Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson, and Tarris Bouie, all versatile guards/wings who could spend time playing the two through the four.
NC State transfer wing Cole Cloer would be a nice, versatile threat off the bench and could even compete for a starting role if he lives up to what made him a Top 30 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class prior to his late reclassification.
In the frontcourt, Alabama would have Mississippi State transfer Jamarion Davis-Fleming, along with returnees Keitenn Bristow and Collins Onyejiaka, to provide quality depth.
If Allen doesn't return, the starting five could look like this:
PG: Aden Holloway
SG: Qayden Samuels
SF: London Jemison
PF: Drew Fielder
C: Brandon Garrison
Samuels is the highest-ranked recruit in Alabama's 2026 class and will compete for one of the starting spots regardless of whether Allen is back or not. He could easily slot into the backcourt alongside Holloway, while Allen shifts up to the three and Jemison becomes the top option off the bench.
Alabama would have the versatility to play bigger against the bigger frontcourts it will face on its 2026-27 schedule, while also being able to size down with guys like Jemison, Allen, Cloer, and others capable of playing the four in smaller lineups.
The biggest variable remains Holloway's status for next season. It's why Oats should do what he can to find a capable starting point guard in the portal who could be a spark plug off the bench or could run the show if Holloway can't play.
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