Alabama’s 2027 backcourt picture got even brighter over the weekend, and the player at the center of it all is Chase Lumpkin.
The 5-star composite guard from Powder Springs, Georgia, has been Nate Oats’ top target in this cycle from the start, and Alabama landed his commitment last month. Since then, his stock has only kept climbing. After a strong summer on the EYBL circuit, Lumpkin turned heads again at Border League East, where Rivals named him MVP of the event.
The numbers from his latest breakout were eye-catching: 36 points in just over 15 minutes of game time.
Chase Lumpkin exploded for 36 points in just over 15 minutes of game time 🔥
As one coach put it: “There’s levels…”
📸 @SLAM_HS https://t.co/D8qF8qhY3I https://t.co/1gn2rZyGYR pic.twitter.com/dtffy2BspZ
- Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) October 19, 2026
That kind of scoring burst fits the profile Alabama has been chasing under Oats. The Tide’s system puts a premium on strong guard play, and it gives elite guards a chance to thrive in a wide-open attack built on pace and freedom. Lumpkin looks tailor-made for it.
He’s a combo guard who can handle the ball and push tempo, but the scoring punch is what stands out. Lumpkin can score at all three levels and has a smooth jumper that helps round out his offensive game. He also brings solid size at 6-foot-4, with a wingspan measured at 6-foot-8.
The way Alabama’s future backcourt is shaping up makes Lumpkin’s arrival even more important. Amari Allen is widely expected to enter the NBA Draft after this season if he takes the sophomore leap he’s chasing. Aden Holloway still has another season of eligibility and could come back for a fifth year under the new NCAA rules, though that is far from certain.
That leaves the long-term plan centered on Lumpkin and true freshman Anderson Diaz. Diaz was also a composite 5-star in the 2027 class before reclassifying into 2026 and joining Alabama right away. He’s expected to play real minutes as a freshman once he’s healthy, though he suffered an injury in practice and is likely to miss the first month of the regular season.
For Oats, this all looks familiar. Alabama has already watched him develop guards into NBA talent, including Kira Lewis, Josh Primo and Labaron Philon, all first-round picks.
Lewis and Primo both went in the lottery. JD Davison was a second-round pick, and Mark Sears also left behind a major mark as one of the most productive and decorated players in program history.
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Alabama Pass Rush Problem Could Follow The Tide Into Texas A&M
The pass rush has become one of the more uncomfortable storylines around Alabama after the Tide managed just one sack in each of their last two games, both losses. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has pointed to the same issue showing up again and again, with recent opponents getting the ball out quickly enough to blunt pressure before it can turn into a disruption.
Now the challenge appears to be waiting again with Texas A&M, which could bring a similar approach when it meets Alabama. If the Aggies are able to spread the ball around and keep the quarterback moving through reads fast, the Tide will need to find a way to create heat without relying on a rush that has not consistently gotten home lately. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Faces Growing Pressure To Stop This Slide Fast
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Texas A&M brings its own questions, but the Aggies have at least shown signs of improvement on defense, which only adds to the challenge Alabama is facing. Both teams need a response to steady their SEC standing, and for Alabama the pressure is about more than one result. It is about whether the slide gets stopped now, before it becomes something harder to shake. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Finally Has A Real Opening For AK Dear
AK Dear has spent most of the 2026 season waiting for his chance, and so far it has been a quiet one. The Alabama running back has only two carries for six yards, a number that reflects how limited his role has been since the season began, even after he arrived with the kind of recruiting buzz that made him one of the more intriguing young players on the roster.
Now the path looks a little more open. With EJ Crowell dealing with a knee injury and Alabama struggling to get much going on the ground, Dear could be in line for a bigger workload when the Crimson Tide face Texas A&M. He flashed promise in his debut season, but his usage has dipped this year, and this matchup may finally give Alabama a better look at what he can do with real touches. [Read more 🡒]