Amari Allen is starting to make some real noise in the SEC - and not just in Tuscaloosa. After a standout showing at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, the Alabama freshman forward was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week, sharing the honor with Tennessee’s Nate Ament. For Allen, this marks the second time he’s earned the weekly nod, with his first coming after Alabama’s win over Illinois earlier this season.
And here’s the kicker: Alabama has now claimed an SEC weekly award in each of the season’s first four weeks. Guard Labaron Philon Jr. has already been named SEC Player of the Week twice, and now Allen is making sure the spotlight stays on the Crimson Tide.
Allen’s production in Vegas was as versatile as it was efficient. Across three games against Gonzaga, UNLV, and Maryland, the 6-foot-8 wing averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest. He shot a scorching 60% from the field, knocked down half of his three-point attempts, and hit 70% from the line - a well-rounded stat line that speaks to his growing confidence and all-around game.
His performance is even more impressive when you consider the context. Alabama opened the event with a 95-85 loss to then-No.
12 Gonzaga, a game that tested the Tide’s defensive mettle. But they bounced back in a big way - and then some.
Alabama exploded for a 115-76 win over UNLV, tying its highest point total under head coach Nate Oats. The very next night, they dished out 29 assists - also tying a program best under Oats - in a 105-72 dismantling of Maryland.
Allen’s fingerprints were all over those wins. Whether it was pushing the pace, making the extra pass, or knocking down timely shots, he played like someone who’s quickly figuring out how to thrive in Oats’ fast-paced, high-efficiency system. And while he’s officially listed as a forward, Oats has repeatedly referred to him as a guard - a nod to Allen’s perimeter skills and ability to stretch the floor.
Physically, Allen brings the kind of length and athleticism that fits perfectly in Alabama’s switch-heavy, up-tempo style. He’s currently averaging 6.9 rebounds per game, good for 14th in the SEC - not bad for a freshman still adjusting to the college game. And when you factor in his ability to guard multiple positions, it’s easy to see why Oats was pleasantly surprised by what Allen brought to the table upon arriving in Tuscaloosa.
Coming out of Wisconsin, Allen was the No. 2-ranked player in the state, the 13th-ranked small forward nationally, and the No. 102 overall prospect in the 2025 class. Those rankings may have flown a bit under the radar, but his play so far suggests he’s outperforming expectations - and fast.
Of course, not everything went Alabama’s way in Vegas. That loss to Gonzaga dropped the Crimson Tide to No. 12 in both the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll. Still, with a 5-2 record and momentum from back-to-back blowout wins, Alabama is in solid shape heading into the SEC/ACC Challenge.
Next up: a Dec. 3 showdown with Clemson at Coleman Coliseum. It’s a rematch of sorts - Alabama dropped the home game to Clemson in 2023 but bounced back with a road win over North Carolina in last year’s edition of the Challenge. This time, the Tide will look to tilt the series in their favor - and if Allen keeps playing like this, he could be a big part of that equation.