Alabama Basketball Starting Five Since 2000

Nate Oats has brought Alabama basketball to being a household name for college basketball fans. However, since 2000, Alabama has produced 12 players who heard their names called in the NBA Draft, with six going in the first round. With 484 total wins in that same timeframe, Alabama basketball has tradition. It just so happens that the 31 wins last season were the most single-season wins in Alabama basketball history. Oats’ 2020-21 season total of 26 wins is tied for the fourth most in the school’s history. 

Are we entering the glory years of Alabama basketball? That is still to be determined. However, here is my starting five for Alabama basketball since the 2000 season.

The Starting Five

G – Mo Williams (‘01-’03)

In his two seasons in Tuscaloosa, Mo Williams averaged 13.1 points and 4.2 assists per game. Williams earned SEC Rookie of the Year and third-team All-SEC in the 2001-02 season after starting 35 games, leading the team to 27 wins, the most single-season wins prior to this past season. Williams went on to average 16.4 points during his sophomore season, his final year in college, prior to going 47 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.

G – Brandon Miller (‘22-’23)

Brandon Miller spent just one season at Alabama, but it was quite a memorable season. After leading the SEC in scoring and finishing second in rebounds, Miller earned first-team All-SEC, SEC Rookie of the Year, SEC Tournament MVP, and Second-Team Consensus All-American. Miller went on to be the second pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, tied with Antonio McDyess as the highest draft pick in school history.

C – JaMychal Green (‘08-’12)

JaMychal Green came into Alabama with lofty expectations. The 2008 McDonald’s All-American spent four seasons in Tuscaloosa, finishing with over 1,600 career points scored and 912 total rebounds. Green earned first-team SEC All-Freshman in 2008-09. He went on to be named All-SEC, first-team in 2010-11, and second-team in 2011-12. After going undrafted, Green is preparing to start his tenth season in the NBA. 

F – Gerald Wallace (‘00-’01)

Gerald Wallace, a native of Childersburg, Alabama, came to the Crimson Tide after earning the Naismith Player of the Year award in 2000. In Wallace’s one season at Alabama, he earned first-team SEC All-Freshman after averaging 9.8 points and 6.0 rebounds. Wallace went on to be the 25th pick of the 2001 NBA Draft. He played 14 years in the NBA, including one all-star appearance. Wallace’s career was not long at Alabama; however, the in-state prospect’s commitment to and playing at Alabama was a big deal. 

F – Kennedy Winston (‘02-’05)

Kennedy Winston became a known commodity while at Alabama. In his three seasons in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide amassed 61 total wins, including three NCAA Tournament appearances, three NCAA Tournament wins, and an SEC regular season championship. As a freshman, Winston was awarded first-team SEC-All Freshman, as a sophomore, second-team All-SEC, and as a junior first-team All-SEC. Winston went undrafted in the 2005 NBA Draft prior to winning multiple championships as well as a scoring title and all-star game appearance playing professionally overseas. 

Sixth Man

G – Collin Sexton (’17-’18)

It was a difficult decision to leave Collin Sexton off the initial starting five. Sexton left Tuscaloosa with some memories, the most notable finishing a game against Minnesota three-on-five and almost winning the game. In his one season, Sexton was first-team All-SEC and the SEC Rookie of the Year. And despite finishing ninth (8-10) in the SEC, Alabama did win a game in the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 19.2 points for the season.

The Bench

F Rod Grizzard (’99-’02), F Shea Cotton (’99-’00), G Ronald Steele (’04-’09), G Alonzo Gee, G Trevor Releford (’10-’14), F Herb Jones (’17-’21), G Kira Lewis (’18-’20)