This past Saturday night, the Alabama Crimson Tide's 2024-25 basketball season officially came to an end with a loss to the Duke Blue Devils in the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
Falling just one win short of the program's second consecutive, as well as ever, Final Four appearance, Alabama and head coach Nate Oats now shift their focus ahead toward what is shaping up to be yet another phenomenal season in 2025-26.
However, it will certainly come with a few question marks, as Alabama's roster is set to undergo multiple significant changes this offseason that include at-least four starters moving on, while the fifth has a decision to make. A few others could also have decisions to make as well, some of which could end up going to the NBA or return for next season.
Here is Alabama's way-too-early 2025-26 basketball roster outlook, which is current as of Monday, March 31.
Alabama Basketball 2025-26 Roster Outlook - Departures
- Mark Sears, Guard - Graduation
- Grant Nelson, Forward - Graduation
- Chris Youngblood, Guard - Graduation
- Clifford Omoruyi, Center - Graduation
- Naas Cunningham, Forward - Transfer Portal
- Max Scharnowski, Forward - Graduation
As mentioned previously, Alabama will have to replace a significant amount of production, headlined by four starters who are out of eligibility in Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Chris Youngblood, and Clifford Omoruyi, as well as one player via the transfer portal so far in redshirt forward Naas Cunningham. Easily the biggest of that group is a three-year starter at point guard in the All-American Sears, but Nelson is also a significant loss as well, as the former North Dakota State transfer started two years at Alabama, and was a key factor in the Crimson Tide's success during March.
Alabama Basketball 2025-26 Roster Outlook - Decisions to Make
- Labaron Philon, Guard - Sophomore
- Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Guard - Graduate Student
Two of the biggest decisions to watch for this offseason for Alabama come from a pair of guards in Labaron Philon and Latrell Wrightsell Jr., the former of which is a potential first round pick in the 2025 NBA draft. As for Wrightsell, the graduate student guard missed a majority of the season due to an injury, and could potentially return next year with a medical redshirt.
Alabama Basketball 2025-26 Roster Outlook - Set to Return
- Aden Holloway, Guard - Junior
- Mouhamed Dioubate, Forward - Junior
- Jarin Stevenson, Forward - Junior
- Aiden Sherrell, Forward - Sophomore
- Derrion Reid, Forward - Sophomore
- Houston Mallette, Guard - Graduate Student
While each of these names could also have decisions to make, it feels likely that this could be the core that will be back for Alabama next season, headlined by guard Aden Holloway coming off a season in which he averaged 11.4 points per game, while Mouhamed Dioubate would also be a prominent name. Should they return, both of Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell would likely make big jumps as sophomores, while Houston Mallette could play a sizable role after missing most of this past season.
