[Former Alabama point guard Labaron Philon Jr. attempts a layup against Hofstra in the first round of NCAA March Madness on March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.
Former Alabama point guard Labaron Philon Jr. attempts a layup against Hofstra in the first round of NCAA March Madness on March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.](https://thecrimsonwhite.com/131182/sports/tide-to-the-league-former-alabama-players-in-the-nba-this-season/#photo)
Alabama men’s basketball has earned a reputation as a team to watch in college hoops. Head coach Nate Oats, who has led the team since 2019, has turned the Crimson Tide into a serious threat in both regular-season and postseason play.
Ahead of the 2026–27 NBA season, nine players who finished their collegiate careers with Alabama are signed to NBA contracts, with many projected to make significant contributions during this year.
Noah Clowney
Since becoming a full-time starter for the Brooklyn Nets during his third season, Clowney looks to continue his upward trajectory, albeit in a reserve role this year.
Coming out of the state of South Carolina as a four-star recruit, Clowney was a one-and-done at Alabama, averaging 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He was drafted 21st overall by the Nets in the 2023 NBA draft.
With the Nets’ acquisition of two-time All-NBA power forward Julius Randle in the offseason, Clowney’s offensive contributions will shrink, meaning the fourth-year forward will need to focus his efforts on his defense.
JD Davison
After being waived by the Houston Rockets in August, Davison is with the Orlando Magic on a training camp contract and faces a preseason battle for one of the team’s final roster spots.
Heavily recruited out of high school, Davison was another one-and-done for the Crimson Tide, averaging 8.5 points and 4.3 assists per game to go with an SEC All-Freshman Team selection. He was drafted 53rd overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA draft.
Davison spent his first three NBA seasons with Boston, winning a championship in 2024 and becoming a star for their NBA G League affiliate team, the Maine Celtics. After a semi-productive campaign with the Rockets last year, he finds himself fighting for a spot in the league.
Keon Ellis
Following a half-season with the Cleveland Cavaliers in which he was a rotation player during the team’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals, Ellis signed a two-year, $18 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets during the offseason.
Ellis came to Alabama after two years at junior college Florida Southwestern State and became a defensive standout during his final two years, being named to the SEC All-Defensive Team as a senior. He also led the SEC in free throw percentage, shooting 88.1% from the charity stripe.
Ellis figures to become one of Brooklyn’s key bench pieces, but will share minutes with younger players such as Ben Saraf and Drake Powell.
Herb Jones
Jones has become a star on the defensive end and a regular starter for the New Orleans Pelicans since he was drafted 35th overall by the team back in 2021, but has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons.
Spending all four of his collegiate seasons at Alabama, Jones broke out during his senior campaign, averaging 11.2 points, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He was named SEC Player of the Year and a third-team All-American by the Associated Press and The Sporting News.
Following a quiet offseason for the Pelicans, Jones will again be a key piece for a team that looks to rebound after two straight seasons of missing the playoffs.
Brandon Miller
Following the departure of former All-Star LaMelo Ball after he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miller will be the focal point of the Charlotte Hornets’ offense this season.
Miller was a five-star recruit out of high school and made an impact during his only season with the Crimson Tide, averaging 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game en route to being named the SEC Player of the Year and a consensus second-team All-American. He was drafted second overall by the Hornets in the 2023 NBA draft.
At 20.2 points per game, Miller was the leading scorer for a Charlotte team that surpassed expectations in 2025–26, finishing with a 44-38 record for their first winning season since 2021–22. He and second-year player Kon Knueppel will look to continue the Hornets’ newfound success this upcoming season.
Grant Nelson
After playing four games last season on a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets, Nelson is back with the team on a two-way contract and will likely spend the majority of his time in the NBA G League with the Long Island Nets.
Nelson joined the Crimson Tide after three years at North Dakota State, becoming a key piece for the team during their 2024 run to the NCAA Tournament Final Four and their 2025 run to the Elite Eight.
Despite being buried on the depth chart, Nelson could see minutes if key frontcourt players go down with injury during the regular season.
Labaron Philon
Drafted 22nd overall during this year’s draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Philon will be one of the key bench pieces for a team that is expected to contend for a championship this season.
Philon spent two years at Alabama and became an outright star during his sophomore season, averaging 22.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He was named to the All-SEC First Team, as well as the All-American Third Team by the Associated Press, NABC, USBWA and The Sporting News.
Following their acquisitions of four-time MVP LeBron James and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown in the offseason, the 76ers are poised to be one of the prime competitors for a title during the 2026–27 NBA season, and Philon is projected to be a regular rotation player for them.
Collin Sexton
Sexton jumped ship from Chicago to L.A. this off-season, signing a two-year, $19 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Becoming a beloved star during his sole season with the Crimson Tide, Sexton had several memorable moments, including a game-winning layup over Texas A&M in the first game of the 2018 SEC Tournament. After being named to the All-SEC Second Team, he was drafted eighth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018.
Following a roster retooling, Sexton will be the first or second guy off the bench most nights for a new-look Lakers team that is without James for the first time since 2018.
Chris Youngblood
Youngblood is back with the Portland Trail Blazers for a second season on a two-way contract, following a stint with the team during the second half of last season.
Youngblood came to Alabama for his fifth and final season of college basketball, after spending his first three years with Kennesaw State and a fourth year with South Florida. He went undrafted in 2025, but caught on with the reigning champions Oklahoma City Thunder on a two-way deal.
With the Blazers already having a plethora of guards on the roster, Youngblood will likely spend the majority of his time in the NBA G League with the Rip City Remix, Portland’s affiliate team.