Alabama is featured in ESPN's updated way-too-early Top 25 rankings for the 2026-27 season. The team will have many new players due to departures to the NBA draft and transfer portal.
Key points
Alabama is in ESPN's updated way-too-early Top 25 rankings
The team will have many new players for the 2026-27 season
Alabama lost players to the NBA draft and transfer portal
Top recruits include Qayden Samuels and Jaxon Richardson
Aden Holloway and Amari Allen's return is uncertain
Where Alabama sits in ESPN's updated way-too-early Top 25 rankings
The Alabama Crimson Tide will have a plethora of new faces up-and-down the roster during the 2026-27 campaign.
Alabama lost a multitude of former players to both the NBA draft and transfer portal this offseason. The Tide could see star point guard Aden Holloway and forward Amari Allen return to Tuscaloosa next year, but each playmakersâ status currently remains up in the air.
Alabama will undoubtedly turn to top recruits such as Qayden Samuels and Jaxon Richardson during their freshman seasons as a result, but even despite that, head coach Nate Oats and his staff will still have an abundance of talent to work with in 2026-27.
A reason behind this is Alabama's recent additions made via the NCAA transfer portal, with that group so far sitting at four new faces.
Following the recent portal movement, Alabama is now ranked as the No. 8 team in the country prior to the 2026-27 campaign, per ESPNâs updated way-too-early Top 25 rankings. The Tide saw a significant rise jumping 12 spots up from No. 20 in the previous update, as Alabama will more than likely open the 2026-27 season as one of the top overall teams in the nation.
Alabama will begin the 2026-27 campaign in November, as the Tide will look to secure their first national championship in program history.
Feb 4, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) runs up the court during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Q&A
What is Alabama's ranking in ESPN's way-too-early Top 25 for 2026-27?
The specific ranking of Alabama in ESPN's updated way-too-early Top 25 has not been disclosed in the provided content.
Which key players are leaving Alabama for the NBA draft or transfer portal?
Alabama lost several players to the NBA draft and transfer portal, but specific names are not mentioned in the content.
Who are the top recruits joining Alabama for the 2026-27 season?
Top recruits Qayden Samuels and Jaxon Richardson are expected to join Alabama for the 2026-27 season.
What is the current status of Alabama's star players Aden Holloway and Amari Allen?
The statuses of star players Aden Holloway and Amari Allen are currently uncertain regarding their return to Alabama.
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Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) dunks the ball against the Santa Clara Broncos during the overtime period of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Feb 7, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) shoots over Arkansas Razorbacks forward Nick Pringle (23) during the second half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Nov 26, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) runs down the court during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Jan 31, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) dunks the ball against the Missouri Tigers during the second half of the game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Dec 13, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) motions for the crowd to cheer during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) is defended by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Peyton Marshall (5) in the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
1 / 7
Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additions
Feb 4, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) runs up the court during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
1 / 7
Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additions
Feb 4, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) runs up the court during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
2 / 7
Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additions
Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) dunks the ball against the Santa Clara Broncos during the overtime period of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
3 / 7
Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additions
Feb 7, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) shoots over Arkansas Razorbacks forward Nick Pringle (23) during the second half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
4 / 7
Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additions
Nov 26, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) runs down the court during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
5 / 7
Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additions
Jan 31, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) dunks the ball against the Missouri Tigers during the second half of the game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
6 / 7
Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additions
Dec 13, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) motions for the crowd to cheer during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
7 / 7
Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additions
Dec 3, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) is defended by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Peyton Marshall (5) in the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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