Decisions may come quickly for Alabama basketball's 2026-27 roster. Nate Oats could have as many as seven roster spots. Even if the number is only four or five, urgency is needed.
There are few givens for the 2026-27 roster. One is that Labaron Philon will move to the NBA. He improved his NBA Draft status in an outstanding sophomore season. Aiden Sherrell is not yet NBA-ready and is expected to return. After the Michigan loss, Taylor Bol Bowen said he has no interest in a different team.
Amari Allen is apparently weighing the NBA advantage Labaron Philon gained by a second Alabama season. His post-game comment was, "We're kind of in similar spots." If he decides on another year of development before making an NBA move, it appears it will only be in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama Basketball 2026-27 Question Marks
The biggest question mark for Nate Oats is Aden Holloway. Oats cannot control the schedule for an answer. A felony possession conviction is possible. A lesser penalty is also possible. In 2024, former Alabama football player Agiye Hall pleaded no contest to first-degree felony charges of possessing over 40 pounds of cannabis. He was given 18 months of supervised probation.
Despite widespread speculation that Aden Holloway was selling pot, that may not be the case. His arrest will haunt him in his next college season. A best-case scenario for Holloway is a return to Alabama basketball next season. Whatever heat Alabama would take from his return would be worth it.
London Jemison and Davion Hannah will likely return, though both will be pursued by other teams. It is not known if Collins Onyejiaka's heart condition will allow him to continue playing basketball.
Nate Oats will want to hold on to Jahlil Bethea, but a guess is that Bethea will opt for guaranteed playing time by transferring. As much as Oats values Bethea's potential, he will not guarantee minutes. Keitenn Bristow is expected to transfer. Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Houston Mallette have no eligibility for more college basketball.
Alabama's roster merry-go-round is spinning fast. Nate Oats' and Preston Murphy's gears will be spinning as well.
Good news for Oats is freshmen Qayden Samuels, Tarris Bouie, and Jaxon Richardson can all be impact players next season. And they will need more money.