Amari Allen enters NBA Draft, will maintain college eligibility
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Amari Allen announced on Sunday night during an emotional post on his social media that he was entering the 2026 NBA Draft while still maintaining his eligibility to return to Alabama or somewhere within the college basketball game.
The 6-foot-8 forward spent his 1 and maybe only season in college basketball at Alabama, averaging 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists to help the Crimson Tide reach the Sweet 16.
Allen blossomed into a starting role during his freshman year in Tuscaloosa, but his curiosity for where he could be drafted has swayed Allen to at least enter the NBA Draft with that caveat of still keeping his college eligibility if he doesn’t like what he sees in the pre-draft leadup.
His departure, at least for now, for the draft represents the 2nd Alabama player from this past season’s team to declare. Star guard Labaron Philon Jr., who was the Crimson Tide’s leading scorer this past season, also recently declared for the draft.
Allen wrote a heartfelt message to Alabama and its fans on social media that he posted on Sunday night, which read in part:
Thank you to everyone in Tuscaloosa for making this year an unforgettable experience for me. From my teammates to our coaches and staff, everyone made me feel at home. After meeting with my family and Coach (Nate) Oats, I’m officially declaring for the NBA Draft while still maintaining my eligibility.
With or without Allen, Alabama will try to make another run at the Final Four next season after reaching the Sweet 16 in 2025-26. The Crimson Tide fell to eventual national champion Michigan, and here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the top teams it believes have the best chance to unseat the Wolverines in 2027:
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
