Tuscaloosa native Chris Youngblood cherishes playing final season in hometown
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – When Chris Youngblood initially transferred to Alabama, he didn’t have many opportunities to soak in what was happening. In the summer, he was more focused on the Crimson Tide’s workouts and giving maximum effort before his final and final season.
But when he suffered a preseason ankle injury that required surgery and kept him off the court for the first nine games of Alabama’s 2024-25 campaign, he had time to reflect.
The South Florida transfer is originally from Tuscaloosa before moving to Georgia. He has been able to play his last season in his hometown, and Wednesday’s game against Florida will be the final home game on the schedule. Youngblood is soaking in every minute he can.
“When I got hurt, that really gave me time to actually sit back and think, ‘Man, I live like 5-10 minutes away from my house right now, like, 10 years ago,’” Youngblood said. “I really didn’t even realize it until I had time to sit back and think about it.
“But it’s just helped me to just cherish every moment, every practice, every long film session, just everything. Just helped me cherish the moment.”
Youngblood has played in 20 games this season and started the last 10. The former American Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Year is averaging 10.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 44 percent from the floor and 38.2 percent from beyond the arc.
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Youngblood has scored in double figures nine times, and his two best games came against the same opponent, Mississippi State. In a pair of matchups with the Bulldogs, Youngblood scored a combined 50 points (23 road, 27 home) and shot 14-of-21 from 3-point range.
The 6-foot-4, 223-pound guard will be one of five seniors honored after Alabama’s home game against Florida (6 p.m. CT on ESPN2), along with Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Clifford Omoruyi and Max Scharnowski. Fans are encouraged to stay for the postgame ceremony.
While Sears said the fan support at home games has been one of his favorite memories in an Alabama uniform, Youngblood prefers playing in hostile road environments with his team.
“It’s probably all the road games,” Youngblood said. “On the road, it’s like you’re against the world and you have to come together as a group and as a team to survive. So to just experience all the road trips and all the road games, just making memories, that’s the best part.”
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