Jon Rothstein’s trip to Birmingham gave Alabama basketball fans a pair of freshmen worth circling before the season gets rolling.
With Nate Oats staring at a major scoring hole in Tuscaloosa, Rothstein came away from last week’s Alabama-Auburn scrimmage with two names that jumped off the floor: true freshmen Qayden Samuels and Tarris Bouie.
The Crimson Tide edged Auburn 87-85 after a late push, and those two youngsters were central to the buzz coming out of the game.
That matters because Alabama has work to do offensively. LaBaron Philon is gone to the NBA, and Aden Holloway will sit out the first five games because of a suspension tied to the legal issues that led to his dismissal during the NCAA Tournament.
So where does the scoring come from early on? Amari Allen is back for at least another college season, but Samuels and Bouie made their case in the scrimmage.
Samuels, a 6-6 shooting guard with exceptional length, flashed the kind of aggressive shot-making that could help fill part of Philon’s production. He led the team in shot attempts and finished 6-of-19 from the field, 3-of-13 from 3-point range and 5-of-6 at the foul line.
The efficiency wasn’t perfect, but the intent was obvious. He went looking for his offense, and that kind of confidence can quickly turn into a real asset if the shot starts falling at a steadier clip.
Bouie brought plenty of intrigue too. He logged 31 minutes, four more than Samuels, and produced 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field, 1-of-3 from deep and 5-of-11 at the line. He also added seven rebounds and showed promise on both ends of the floor.
On Bouie’s 247Sports profile, Adam Finkelstein described him as a gifted athlete and a late bloomer, noting that his best basketball still may be ahead of him.
Alabama’s schedule could help both freshmen settle in as well. In the 2025-26 season, the Tide opened with four top-15 teams in their first five games and later faced No.
1 Arizona in the 10th game. For 2026-27, the path looks far softer early, with Sam Houston State, Arkansas State, Oakland, Seton Hall and Kennesaw State in the first five games.
One scrimmage won’t define either freshman’s season, but it was enough to get people paying attention. If Samuels or Bouie can grow into a reliable scoring threat, Alabama may have found two new weapons.
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