Alabama Basketball: Braxton Key to forgo NBA Draft, return to Crimson Tide
By Taylor Sturm
The Alabama Crimson Tide were expected to be good next season, but the return of Braxton Key makes them even more dangerous in the SEC.
In 2016-17, the Alabama Crimson Tide had an up and down season that saw them finish in the middle of the SEC regular season standings but still end up with a postseason berth in the NIT. A team that looked amazing or terrible without much in between, Avery Johnson’s squad showed that they had the potential to succeed in the conference and many, including myself, have them finishing somewhere close to the top next season.
Even better news for Johnson and Co., however, is that Braxton Key will be returning for another season.
Braxton Key tells me he will withdraw from the 2017 NBA Draft and return to Alabama next season. Huge news for the Crimson Tide.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 23, 2017
Key, a 6’8, 220-pound forward out of Charlotte, North Carolina, averaged an impressive 12 points per game 5.7 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game as a freshman. He clearly has what it takes to go to the next level, but another year in college will be smart for him – and a huge win for Alabama.
The Kentucky Wildcats will be the clear favorites to win the SEC, but, apart from them, it’s a free for all. Several teams are bringing in top players, but few have the combination of veterans and talented youth like the Crimson Tide does.
Watch for the Crimson Tide to start the season out slowly, but round into form once SEC play swings around.
Next: Biggest names returning to school in 2017-18
It’s far too early to say that Alabama is a lock for the 2018 NCAA Tournament, but they are pretty close.