Alabama basketball is up for another deep playoff run, and although big names will return, another veteran is expected to have a standout season.
Another deep postseason run is in the cards for Alabama basketball, and although big names like Labaron Philon and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. will be back, another returning veteran is expected to have a standout season.
Big man Aiden Sherrell began showing glimpses of his full potential down the stretch as the Crimson Tide made the push for the Elite Eight. When breaking down his SEC Preseason Rankings on Inside College Basketball Now on Tuesday, listing Alabama at No. 5, CBS insider Jon Rothstein explained why he expects a standout sophomore season for the seven-footer.
Why Aiden Sherrell can expect a breakout season with Alabama basketball
"The guy I think could be an absolute star for Alabama this year is Aiden Sherrell," Rothstein said.
Rothstein acknowledged that getting back Philon late in the NBA Draft process was "monumental" for Alabama and expressed optimism about the growth of rising junior Aden Holloway. It wasn't them who impressed Rothstein most while working the NCAA Tournament in Cleveland, though. Against BYU and Duke, Sherrell matched a season-high two three-pointers.
Sherrell came off the bench in all 36 games for Alabama and averaged 3.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game, scoring in double figures twice with a season-high 12 points on Feb. 1 against Georgia. He made his mark in his debut appearance against UNC Asheville with nine boards for a season-best.
Rothstein called Sherrell a "breakout player to watch nationally," reminding that the Prolific Prep alum hasn't been used as much as he will be this season now that Clifford Omoruyi is out of the picture.
"Cliff Omoruyi was obviously a veteran big man, deserved the role, deserved the minutes. Great above the rim player," Rothstein said. Still, there's just something about the way that Sherrell fits into Nate Oats' offense — the speed despite his size, the three-point shot that tears the lid off of any arena he steps into.
Sherrell didn't have enough time on the floor to make his way into Rothstein's preseason SEC first-team like Mark Mitchell (Missouri), Otega Oweh (Kentucky), Ja'Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee), Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn) or Boogie Fland (Florida). Rothstein noted that Philon was "really, really close" and that a "case could be made" for the rising sophomore from Mobile.
In 2025, Alabama led the SEC with an average 90.7 points per game and led the country in tempo. Here's a look at how the Crimson Tide stacked up in Rothstein's preseason league rankings.
How did Jon Rothstein rank Alabama among SEC basketball teams in the preseason?
Rothstein did not include Georgia or Mississippi State in his top 14 SEC teams.
- Florida
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- Auburn
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Ole Miss
- Texas A&M
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- Vanderbilt
- LSU
- South Carolina
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball's Aiden Sherrell named 'breakout player to watch nationally'
Category: General Sports
