The Alabama Crimson Tide will have a plethora of new faces up-and-down the roster during the 2026-27 campaign.
Alabama lost a multitude of former players to both the NBA draft and transfer portal this offseason. The Tide could see star point guard Aden Holloway and forward Amari Allen return to Tuscaloosa next year, but each playmakers’ status currently remains up in the air.
Alabama will undoubtedly turn to top recruits such as Qayden Samuels and Jaxon Richardson during their freshman seasons as a result, but even despite that, head coach Nate Oats and his staff will still have an abundance of talent to work with in 2026-27.
A reason behind this is Alabama's recent additions made via the NCAA transfer portal, with that group so far sitting at four new faces.
Following the recent portal movement, Alabama is now ranked as the No. 8 team in the country prior to the 2026-27 campaign, per ESPN’s updated way-too-early Top 25 rankings. The Tide saw a significant rise jumping 12 spots up from No. 20 in the previous update, as Alabama will more than likely open the 2026-27 season as one of the top overall teams in the nation.
Alabama will begin the 2026-27 campaign in November, as the Tide will look to secure their first national championship in program history.
Feb 4, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) runs up the court during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn ImagesMar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) dunks the ball against the Santa Clara Broncos during the overtime period of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn ImagesFeb 7, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) shoots over Arkansas Razorbacks forward Nick Pringle (23) during the second half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesNov 26, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) runs down the court during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn ImagesJan 31, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) dunks the ball against the Missouri Tigers during the second half of the game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn ImagesDec 13, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) motions for the crowd to cheer during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn ImagesDec 3, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) is defended by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Peyton Marshall (5) in the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images1 / 7Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additionsFeb 4, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) runs up the court during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images1 / 7Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additionsFeb 4, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) runs up the court during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images2 / 7Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additionsMar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) dunks the ball against the Santa Clara Broncos during the overtime period of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images3 / 7Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additionsFeb 7, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) shoots over Arkansas Razorbacks forward Nick Pringle (23) during the second half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images4 / 7Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additionsNov 26, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) runs down the court during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images5 / 7Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additionsJan 31, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) dunks the ball against the Missouri Tigers during the second half of the game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images6 / 7Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additionsDec 13, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) motions for the crowd to cheer during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images7 / 7Photos: Alabama basketball's 2026 offseason transfer portal additionsDec 3, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming (0) is defended by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Peyton Marshall (5) in the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesContact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Where ESPN ranks Alabama basketball in updated 2026-27 rankings