Reaching the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back years for the first time in over a decade, Alabama Basketball’s 2021-22 season came to an end on Friday night when the Crimson Tide were upset in the first round by 11-seed Notre Dame 78-64.
Finishing the year with a 19-14 overall record, the Crimson Tide now enter what will likely be an interesting offseason, one that could see a notable amount of roster turnover. Included in this however will also be the addition of the highest-rated recruiting class in Alabama Basketball history, as well as few key names returning in 2022-23.
Taking a way-too-early look at the 2022-23 Crimson Tide, what is Alabama’s roster next season set to look like?
Way-too-early Alabama Basketball roster outlook for 2022-23 season
Likely Gone to NBA/Graduation
- F James Rojas
You could certainly argue that the Crimson Tide at this point do not have a single player 100% guaranteed to leave for the NBA, while Rojas is the lone player leaving due to graduation. A reserve option in the frontcourt, Rojas averaged a combined 3.8 PPG across 47 games for the Crimson Tide the last two seasons.
Decisions to Watch For
- G Jaden Shackelford
- G Jahvon Quinerly
- G Keon Ellis
- G JD Davison
- F Keon Ambrose-Hylton (Entered Transfer Portal)
- F Alex Tchikou (Entered Transfer Portal)
Each of the Crimson Tide’s top scorers (Shackelford, Quinerly, and Ellis) will likely test the draft process, with each having the potential to go in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft. As for Davison, the freshman guard is a potential first round pick this year, but could potentially return to Tuscaloosa as well.
Set to Return
- F Noah Gurley
- C Charles Bediako
- F Juwan Gary
- F Darius Miles
- G Jusaun Holt
- G Nimari Burnett
Gurley is the top scorer for the Crimson Tide that has so far announced his return to Tuscaloosa for the 2022-23 season, while Burnett will be one of Alabama’s top options at the guard position after missing all of 2021-22 due to injury. Bediako will also likely return for the Crimson Tide next season after starting 30 games as a freshman at center.
New Additions
- F Brandon Miller
- G Jaden Bradley
- G Rylan Griffen
- F Noah Clowney
- F Nick Pringle
The nation’s No. 3 overall class according to the 247Sports Team Rankings, the Crimson Tide are set to bring in arguably the greatest single recruiting class in Alabama Basketball history in 2022-23. Included in this group are two five-star prospects in Miller and Bradley, a highly-rated four-star in Griffen, and two versatile 6-foot-9 forwards in Clowney and Pringle, with Pringle considered as one of the nation’s top JUCO prospects.