Alabama Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Crimson Tide

Key Reserves

Guard – Keon Ellis, Senior

One of Alabama’s key reserves off the bench will undoubtedly be senior guard, Keon Ellis. Ellis played a huge role on Alabama’s squad last year as he averaged 5.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, not great numbers as a whole, but he played a big role in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments, averaging just over 22 minutes per game, with 7.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game.

You should fully expect Ellis’ production to skyrocket in 2021-22, as I would expect him to be the first or second man off the bench for the Tide, and he will likely start multiple games as well.

Forward – Juwan Gary, Sophomore

Juwan Gary is going to be another big player off the bench for Alabama, coming off of a season where he appeared in 30 games averaging 9.4 minutes, 3.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game, Gary is in store for a solid season for the Crimson Tide.

Gary is going to be a huge force off the bench for Alabama, largely because of the fact that James Rojas is off the bench with a torn ACL, that being said, Gary will be forced to take on a significant amount of minutes for Alabama this season

Forward – Alex Tchikou, Redshirt Freshman

Another important player off the bench for Alabama will be Alex Tchikou, who missed the entirety of the 2020-21 season due to an Achilles injury. Tchikou was the 11th ranked power forward in the Class of 2020, and was expected to play a big role for Alabama last year, but didn’t get the chance due to his injury.

Now, with Tchikou back, Alabama will get a big boost off their bench to come in for Noah Gurley and Charles Bediako. I would fully expect Tchikou to play a big role for Nate Oats’ squad this upcoming season.

Forward – Keon Ambrose-Hylton, Sophomore

Keon Ambrose-Hylton didn’t play much at all last season, appearing in only 18 games for Alabama as he averaged 4.2 minutes per game with 1.2 points, 0.7 rebounds, 0.1 assists, 0.1 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game. Ambrose-Hylton will however likely take on a bigger role in 2021-22 for several reasons, including the fact that James Rojas is out for the entirety of the 2021-22 season.

Ambrose-Hylton is a big body and is capable of giving Alabama a huge boost off the bench, especially due to the fact that Alabama will primarily be playing a small-ball lineup.

Guard – Jusaun Holt, Freshman

Another player who might get some minutes off the bench for Alabama is Jusaun Holt. Prior to Nimari Burnett getting injured which will sideline him for the entirety of the 2021-22 season, I wouldn’t have expected Holt to get much time, but I would now expect him to be Alabama’s second or third guard off the bench.

With the Tide likely starting a three-guard set, they’re going to need some depth at the guard position, which will give Holt the opportunity to get some minutes.