The future of Alabama basketball's backcourt just got a whole lot more interesting. Freshman standout Amari Allen, who turned heads with his playmaking ability this season, left the door wide open for a return to Tuscaloosa during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
Speaking with reporters at Wintrust Arena on Wednesday, the versatile forward laid out his conditions for staying in the draft—and they're as clear as a fast-break opportunity. According to Sports Illustrated's Kevin Sweeney, Allen stated he would need a "first-round promise" to forgo his college eligibility. CBS Sports' Isaac Trotter further reported Allen's candid assessment: "If it was second round, I would go back to school. I definitely feel I can go back to college and be a 20 and 10 guy."
That confidence is well-earned. As a rookie, Allen averaged 11.4 points and 3.1 assists per game, while leading the Crimson Tide in rebounding with 6.9 boards across 32 contests and 24 starts. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor has caught the attention of NBA scouts, though opinions vary on his draft stock. CBS's latest mock draft projects him as a first-round pick at No. 27 overall to the Boston Celtics, while The Athletic sees him going 22nd to the Philadelphia 76ers via Houston. ESPN, however, currently slots him at No. 32 on its big board—firmly in second-round territory.
For Alabama fans, the prospect of Allen's return is tantalizing. The Crimson Tide face a potential void at point guard this offseason. Labaron Philon Jr.'s draft decision appears to be leaning toward the pros, and Aden Holloway's status remains uncertain as the team awaits the outcome of his marijuana arrest trial. Meanwhile, Alabama's incoming recruiting class, ranked No. 13 nationally, notably lacks a true guard.
Allen revealed that Alabama's coaching staff has already laid out a vision for his role if he returns: "I would have the ball in my hands a lot," he said, with additional reps as a point guard and ball-screen playmaker. That kind of offensive responsibility could transform him from a promising freshman into a bona fide star—and potentially elevate the Crimson Tide's title aspirations.
The deadline for Allen's decision is 10:59 p.m. CT on May 27. Whether he hears his name called in the first round or returns to lead Alabama's offense, one thing is certain: this is a player whose game is worth watching, no matter which jersey he wears.