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Alabama Basketball: 2023-24 season preview for the Crimson Tide

By Jerran Anderson

Alabama head coach Nate Oats brings the team together at half court before dismissing practice for the Crimson Tide Men’s Basketball team Monday, Sept. 25, 2023.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats brings the team together at half court before dismissing practice for the Crimson Tide Men’s Basketball team Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. /
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Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /

Projected starting lineup

Point Guard: Mark Sears

Sears is one important returning piece in the Alabama backcourt who will be looked upon to run the show at the point guard role. He fared solidly in his debut season with the Crimson Tide and returns after testing the NBA Draft waters. He produced 12.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.6 apg and 1.2 spg. He was a top defender on the floor for their squad after registering a 96.3 defensive rating when on the hardwood.

Shooting Guard: Aaron Estrada

Estrada will look to boost the perimeter/backcourt attack with his addition from the CAA’s Hofstra Pride, where he won the CAA Player of the Year award the past two seasons. He’s shown he can be an effective shooter and playmaker in the backcourt and should make a solid backcourt mate alongside Mark Sears. He put up 20.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.3 apg and 1.5 spg on 36.8 percent from deep and 47.8 percent shooting from the field.

Guard/Wing: Rylan Griffen

Griffen is another returning player who should see his minutes grow as part of the starting rotation at the guard/wing role as their versatile option. He’s a 6-foot-5 presence who put up 5.9 ppg and 2.6 rpg across 37 appearances as a freshman. With more minutes on the horizon, look for his role to grow as a two-way threat on the wing.

Power Forward: Grant Nelson

Nelson joins the SEC as a hot commodity out of the transfer portal from North Dakota State in the Summit League. He averaged 17.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, and 1.7 bpg on 52.1 percent shooting from the field in as a first-team All-Conference performer in 2022-23. He’ll look to be a dynamic presence in the frontcourt as the Crimson Tide’s lead option in 2023-24.

Center/Forward: Mohamed Wague

Wague is another addition out of the transfer portal from West Virginia in the Big 12. He’s got Power 6 conference experience under his belt already and after putting up 4.1 ppg and 3.1 rpg on 74.2 percent shooting from the field across 28 contests, he’ll be looked upon to do a whole lot more at the anchor spot in the Alabama lineup.

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