London Jemison’s first career start for Alabama didn’t unfold the way anyone in crimson hoped it would.
Midway through the first half against USF, the promising freshman forward limped off the court with athletic trainer Clarke Holter at his side and made his way to the locker room. A short while later, the update came: a knee injury would keep Jemison out for the remainder of the game.
That’s a tough blow for both Jemison and the Crimson Tide. The 6-foot-8 forward had been steadily carving out a bigger role in Alabama’s rotation, and his recent stretch of performances was starting to turn heads. Before the injury, he logged three points and three rebounds, showing flashes of the energy and physicality that made him a top recruit.
Jemison had been on a hot streak since the second game of the Players Era Festival, when he dropped 18 points against UNLV. That was the spark that ignited a run of double-digit scoring efforts: 11 against Maryland, 13 versus Clemson, and a 20-point outburst against UTSA.
It wasn’t just the numbers-it was the way he was getting them. He attacked the rim with confidence, hit timely shots, and brought a level of athleticism that added a new dimension to Alabama’s frontcourt.
But like any freshman navigating the grind of a college season, there were bumps. Jemison was held scoreless in the Tide’s loss to Arizona, a game where Alabama struggled across the board.
It marked his third scoreless outing of the season, the other two coming in limited minutes against St. John’s and Illinois.
Still, the trajectory was clear-Jemison was trending up.
Now, Alabama has to regroup. Jemison’s injury leaves the Tide down one of their most dynamic young players, and he’s not the only freshman dealing with health issues. Head coach Nate Oats confirmed that Amari Allen is nursing a hip pointer, adding another layer of concern for a team that relies heavily on its young talent.
It’s unclear how long Jemison will be sidelined, but his absence will be felt. His recent surge gave Alabama a glimpse of what he can become-a versatile, high-motor forward with the tools to impact both ends of the floor. For now, the Tide will hope for a quick recovery and continue to lean on their depth as they navigate the heart of the season.