Alabama rises significantly in early 2025-26 rankings post-NBA draft withdrawal deadline
Alabama rises significantly in early 2025-26 rankings post-NBA draft withdrawal deadline
It is no secret that the Alabama Crimson Tide were among the biggest winners from the 2025 NBA draft withdrawal deadline.
As to why, Alabama - who were already considered among college basketball's best looking ahead to the 2025-26 season - saw a shocking turns of events as guard Labaron Philon announced right before the deadline that he was withdrawing from the NBA draft to return to the Crimson Tide.
Weeks prior, Philon had previously announced that he would be remaining in the 2025 NBA draft, and would not return to Alabama.
With the return of Philon however, the re-addition of the talented guard is certainly a boost to Alabama's 2025-26 roster outlook, and as a result, the Crimson Tide are now beginning to skyrocket up early Top 25 rankings, the latest of which came via ESPN's Jeff Borzello.
In his updated Top 25 post-deadline, Borzello jumped Alabama seven spots up to No. 17, making the Crimson Tide one of the biggest risers behind only Florida. Borzello also said of the Crimson Tide:
"Alabama was one of the big winners of the withdrawal deadline, with Labaron Philon making a late decision to remove his name from the draft and return to Tuscaloosa. The talented guard told reporters at the combine that he had closed the door on going back to college. But Nate Oats was on the hunt for a playmaker on the perimeter and now has Philon back in the fold."
"Philon is part of a talented perimeter group that includes returnees Aden Holloway and a healthy Latrell Wrightsell Jr., while former five-star recruit Jalil Bethea will look to bounce back after transferring from Miami."
"The frontcourt will likely have to rely on portal additions, namely Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson, who was named 2024-25 Patriot League Player of the Year, and Florida State transfer Taylor Bol Bowen, a skilled forward and former highly touted recruit. Aiden Sherrell needs to take a step forward, too."
In addition to ESPN, USA TODAY Sports also recently labeled Alabama among the biggest withdrawal deadline winners due to the return of Philon.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
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