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Ranking the 10 best players to play for Alabama in last 10 years
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- Ranking the 10 best players to play for Alabama in last 10 years
The last decade of Alabama men's basketball has featured some of the more memorable moments the program has ever seen.
Over the last 10 years, Alabama has skyrocketed back into the national spotlight, reaching the NCAA Tournament a total of seven times combined under former head coach Avery Johnson and Nate Oats. Those trips to the big dance have also featured the program's first-ever Final Four appearance, as well as five Sweet 16 appearances under Oats.
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A big reason behind this level of success is the talent the Crimson Tide have had over the last decade, with Alabama producing multiple SEC Players of the Year, All-Conference selections, and more over the past 10 years alone.
Here are the 10 best to suit up for the Alabama Crimson Tide over the last decade, which dates back to the 2016-17 season.
10. Aden Holloway, Guard
Jan 3, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama guard Aden Holloway (2) nails a deep three pointer as he is defended by Kentucky guard Otega Oweh (00) at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama downed Kentucky 89-74. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
The lone member of Alabama's current roster to make this list, Holloway is set to enter year three in Tuscaloosa this upcoming season. Since transferring from Auburn, Holloway has averaged a combined 13.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game on 42.4% shooting from three-point range, earning All-SEC honors once.
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9. John Petty, Guard
Feb 22, 2020; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard John Petty Jr. (23) looks for an open teammate as Mississippi Rebels guard Austin Crowley (1) defends during the first half at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama has seen a number of talented three-point shooters wear the Crimson Tide uniform over the last 10 years, few of which were better than Petty. A four-year starter in Tuscaloosa, Petty averaged a combined 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, two assists on 38.2% shooting from three-point range, earning All-SEC honors twice.
8. Jaden Shackelford, Guard
Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Jaden Shackelford (5) drives against Maryland Terrapins forward Donta Scott (24) in the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Shackelford is among the most talented scorers in recent program history, one who was a three-year starter while at Alabama. The guard averaged a combined 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game on 35.1% shooting from three, earning All-SEC honors twice.
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7. Grant Nelson, Forward
Dec 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Grant Nelson (4) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Drake Powell (9) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Nelson transferred to Alabama following three seasons at North Dakota State, and went on to become one of the top portal additions in program history. A two-year starter, Nelson averaged a combined 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game on 50.5% shooting from the field.
6. Kira Lewis Jr., Guard
Feb 22, 2020; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) dribbles during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Lewis was a two-year starter for the Crimson Tide at point guard, with one season coming under each Johnson and Oats. The guard averaged a combined 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, four assists, and 1.3 steals per game between the two years on 36.2% shooting from three, earning honors that included All-SEC.
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5. Herbert Jones, Forward
Dec 14, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Herbert Jones (1) drives to the basket past Penn State Nittany Lions forward Mike Watkins (24) during the second half at the Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
A player who spent all four seasons in Tuscaloosa, Jones was among the players who suited up for both Johnson and Oats, and is likely considered one of the greatest defensive players in program history. Starting each of those four years, Jones averaged a combined 7.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 44.1% shooting from the field, and received honors such as 2020-21 SEC Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
4. Collin Sexton, Guard
Mar 10, 2018; St. Louis, MO, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Collin Sexton (2) handles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22) during the first half of the semifinals of the SEC Conference Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Sexton was the Crimson Tide's first big headline name of the Johnson era, and the guard certainly delivered on the hype he garnered going into his lone season at Alabama. The former top recruit averaged 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game on 44.7% shooting from the field, earning honors that included All-SEC and SEC Freshman of the Year.
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3. Labaron Philon Jr., Guard
Mar 13, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon (0) drives to the basket against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Alabama's best player from this past season, Philon was a two-year starter for the Crimson Tide who could certainly have an argument to be made that he should be even higher than No. 3. Philon averaged a combined 16 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 36.7% shooting from three at Alabama, receiving honors which included All-America.
2. Mark Sears, Guard
Feb 25, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears (1) looks to pass against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images
A three-year starter in Tuscaloosa following a transfer from Ohio, Sears certainly has a case to be made as the most accomplished player in Alabama basketball history. Over his three seasons, Sears averaged a combined 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game on 37.4% shooting from three, and received numerous honors that included multi-time All-America and a Wooden Award finalist.
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1. Brandon Miller, Forward
Mar 24, 2023; Louisville, KY, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Brandon Miller (24) dribbles during the first half of the NCAA tournament round of sixteen against the San Diego State Aztecs at KFC YUM! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
A player who has an argument to be made as the most talented to ever suit up for the Crimson Tide, Miller was truly sensational during his lone season at Alabama. Miller averaged a SEC-best 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game on 38.4% shooting from three during his 2022-23 freshman season, receiving numerous honors along the way such as SEC Player of the Year and All-America.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Ranking the 10 best players to play for Alabama in last 10 years
