Amari Allen has moved from promising freshman to the player Alabama basketball may lean on most in 2026-27.
That’s a fast rise, but it’s been earned. The rising sophomore guard came into Tuscaloosa after finishing his varsity career in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, as a 4-star recruit, and he didn’t stay in the background for long. Injuries around him forced Allen into the starting rotation sooner than expected, and by December of last season he was already part of the first five.
From there, he produced. Allen averaged 11.4 points per game as a freshman and pulled down nearly seven rebounds a night, numbers that showed how much he could do at both forward and guard. That kind of season was enough for him to briefly declare for the 2026 NBA draft before ultimately withdrawing and returning to Alabama.
Now, college basketball insider Jon Rothstein believes Allen is lined up for an even bigger leap.
"But he is somebody, again, when you look at what Alabama lost from last season's team, Amari Allen is primed to step into a much bigger role," Rothstein said. "Alabama went to the Sweet 16 last season, had obviously all sorts of answers on the perimeter, and now Amari Allen becomes, in my opinion, a player that will explode onto the scene and I think will be Alabama's all-around best player this season."
Rothstein made the prediction on Monday, Sept. 14, and said Allen is "one of two double-figure scorers who will return for Alabama."
Last season’s team finished 25-10 and reached the Sweet 16 with five players scoring in double figures, including Labaron Philon Jr., Aiden Sherrell - who transferred to Indiana - and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Aden Holloway also worked out with Alabama in the offseason, though the program has not confirmed that he has officially rejoined the roster.
"It's funny, too, because Alabama has had great attrition under Nate Oats, but they always seem to be in the mix to have incredible guys waiting in the wings," Rothstein said.
"You lose Labaron Philon. You lose Latrell Wrightsell. You have a guy like Amari Allen, ready to step in."
Alabama’s first exhibition of 2026 is set for Thursday, Oct. 8, when Furman comes to Coleman Coliseum.
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