Run it back: Core group of veterans and exciting underclassmen returning for ‘Bama hoops

Alabama basketball received four re-commitments yesterday around which to build a strong core for the 2026 season.

It was announced that Tide will be returning:

• Junior sniper, combo-guard Aden Holloway is back. Holloway’s redemption arc at Alabama has been fantastic. He matured into the Tide’s best perimeter shooter, though he did have a rough patch here and there as the brutal SEC season slogged along. Biz shot an electric 41.2% from beyond the arc, and netted 11.4 a night. He shot 15% better from the floor than in his Freshman campaign at Auburn, and got to the basket more — where he was a 60.4% floor shooter. His defensive P/M was way, way up, as he continued his development into a bit better of a defender (though he still needs much improvement there). He wasn’t asked to run the point as much at ‘Bama, but his TOs were up by 25% per 40, and that will need to be lessened somewhat, even given the Tide’s possession-friendly offense. Hard to undersell that offense though — Biz was third on the team in offensive win-share.
• You could probably guess Alabama’s best defenders: Grant, Mo and Cliff, sure. But few realize that 5-star freshman PF/C Aiden Sherrell was actually 4th on the team in defensive rating. Playing behind four other bigs, Sherrell saw 9 minutes a game, and posted a very modest stat line (3.4/2.8). But good things happened when he was in the lineup…by and large. He was very active on both ends of the glass, shot a solid 33% from the perimeter, and was one of Alabama’s best at converting in the paint (67% inside the post). Expect those minutes to double, and Sherrell to fill the role of the likely-departing Lil’ Mo.
• Houston Mallette, who had been one of Alabama’s core best seven players before his injury, is also returning. Per 40, he was among ‘Bama’s best defenders, was shooting 50% from the perimeter, and was on track to average 16/12 over a full game. If Noah Williamson is the Swiss Army Knife of the frontcourt, then Mallette fills that role among the wings. He can run the point, has nice size and moves well to the rim without the ball, he can and has played the three, has a great shooting touch and can play the SG. He was never in it about money: He’s always wanted to coach, and I look forward to seeing him grow as a player, maybe get a pro shot, and perhaps even grab a seat on ‘Bama’s ever-rotating bench, as Nate Oats has become a head coaching feeder.
• Finally, yesterday’s big news for a Tide team that lost so many shooters the last two seasons, was the announced return of Latrell Wrightsell Jr. We don’t need to talk about what he meant to the Tide. He is one of the country’s best shooters, and Alabama greatly missed his steady FT shooting (85%), his sterling perimeter play (46%) and even the other things he added to a more well-rounded game. Per 40, only Mark Sears was more valuable among the guards. His significant length (6’3”) is a must-have on a Tide squad who played a tiny backcourt all season (248th in the country).

Still Undecided, Likely Gone

• When Alabama went to Jersey for their S16/E8 regional contests, it was very clear that Mouhamed Dioubate missed New York. He was probably the most jazzed player on the roster. So, it came as little surprise to hear that St. John’s had offered the defensive wizard a giant bag to come be the linchpin of a rebuilding, physical Red Storm team. Thus, it was also no surprise to see him head to the portal, not really. He’ll thrive in the Big East and especially under Big Dick Rick. It’s hard to fault him taking the money, going home, playing under a legend for a title-worthy team, and getting more of an offensive role. It’s all over but the shouting on this one, I fear. Best of luck.

• One of Alabama’s McDonald All-American signings, Derrion Reid, was absolutely a game-changer in his minutes on the floor. He was explosive on offense, Captain Hustle on defense, and a frenetic bundle of energy at all times. For weeks the scuttlebutt has been that the Dawgs have been tampering with the native Georgian, offering him significantly more than his production had earned. Like Mo D, 8 points / 5 rebounds per game is not worth seven figures, especially not coming off a long-term injury. He’ll do well in Mike White’s system. The Dawgs are losing Newell and their trash PG just dipped to UConn. There’s not much firepower or impact on the UGA roster now; Reid provides it. Like Mo D, we all suspect this one is a done-deal as well.

Literally no clue

• Jarin Stevenson is equal parts enigma and frustrating wildcard. Every bit of the athleticism is there that the NBA covets. At times, he’s been brilliant. But Jarin is maddening in equal measure, running hot and cold as a starlet on offense, and equally mercurial (usually downright rotten) on defense. It’s clear Nate Oats loves him. He’s always praising Jarin, and Stevenson got the start in every game this season. But you have a hard time making the case that his play earned it, at least while Reid was healthy. I’d guess that he’s waiting on a combine invite? There is a great deal of sentimentality for Stevenson in the program, and the rumor is that the money is there. Still, your guess is as good as ours — though one suspects that Corey Chest’s (likely) signing is a hedge against his departure for some frontcourt depth. Then again, perhaps Jarin could throw a spanner in the cogs and decide he needs a change of scenery — hometown UNC needs some bigs in the worst way, for instance.
• Labaron Philon had played himself into First Round consideration the first third of the year. Then he hit a wall. Then he rebounded and played a strong wrap-up to the season, flashing a lot of his special gifts in the NCAA tournament and the Auburn win particularly. Any other season, he’d be gone and a solid lock as a first round pick. It’s not any other year: it’s one of the deepest college classes we’ve ever seen. He’s still getting some late first-round consideration, but it’s a tough choice: He’s not even a Top Three PG in this class, owing to its depth. He also has one glaring weakness in the modern NBA: His three-point shooting is not good, though he doesn’t lack for confidence. He could use another strong season of improvement from the perimeter and then make guaranteed lottery cash next year. If the money is there, you know ‘Bama would love to keep him. If it’s not, or if LP is getting universal late first-round grades, I suspect Philon is gone…as he probably should be.

Sound off below on any of the above. I’m genuinely curious how you think these undecideds will pan out. (And, please, applaud my shitty Photoshop. I spent almost an hour on this. LOL.)

We may be back at 1:00 Central with big news. Hold tight, and Roll Tide.