Alabama men’s basketball all-time roster: Crimson Tide Legends
The annual NCAA men’s basketball tournament is rapidly approaching with Selection Sunday taking place on March 12. Alabama’s success this season has propelled the program into the national spotlight. The top-ranked seed is up for grabs and it may belong to the Crimson Tide.
Though Alabama is typically known for its accolades on the football field, the Crimson Tide has a rich history on the hardwood that spans decades and generations.
Numerous coaches and players have left their mark on the program for being especially outstanding.
Roll Tide Wire chose one head coach, two assistants and 10 players to make up the all-time roster. We tip it off with the head coach.
Wimp Sanderson: Head coach
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From 1980-1992, Wimp Sanderson had an impressive track record at the helm of the Crimson Tide men’s basketball program. He had an overall record of 267-119 and an in-conference record of 132-82.
With 10 trips to the NCAA tournament, Sanderson went 12-10, making it to the Sweet 16 six times. He was recognized as the SEC Coach of the Year twice in 1987 and 1989.
David Hobbs: Assistant coach (1985-1992; HC 1992-1998)
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David Hobbs was hired as an assistant under Wimp Sanderson in 1985 and held the role until Sanderson left the program. Then, Hobbs took over the head coaching job for the Crimson Tide and made the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons in 1994 and 1995.
Antoine Pettway: Assistant coach (2014-current)
Gary Cosby Jr./Tuscaloosa News
Antoine Pettway originally played for the Crimson Tide in the early 2000s as a walk-on player with an academic scholarship. In 2014, he joined the Alabama staff and has contributed greatly ever since.
Pettway’s ability to form connections and be a top-tier recruiter is what makes him essential to Alabama’s success.
Robert Horry: Starting forward (1988-1992)
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Robert Horry is best known as an NBA veteran that managed to win a staggering seven NBA titles before retiring. However, he was a star at Alabama during his time in Tuscaloosa. He was selected to the SEC all-defensive team in 1992, third-team all-SEC in 1990, and second-team all-SEC in 1992. He also set the program record for blocked shots with 282.
He was selected No. 11 overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets.
Latrell Sprewell: Starting guard (1990-1992)
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Along with Horry, Latrell Sprewell was a first-round selection in 1992 and was named to the All-SEC defensive team in the same year. Despite transferring into the program and spending only two years in Tuscaloosa, Sprewell’s impact was great.
After being drafted No. 24 overall by the Golden State Warriors, he went on to be a four-time NBA all-star.
Collin Sexton: Starting point guard (2017-2018)
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Collin Sexton can be seen as the start of a new age of Crimson Tide basketball. The highly-coveted recruit from Marietta, Georgia made headlines by choosing the Crimson Tide over other programs all across the nation.
In just one season, Sexton was named to the All-SEC second team, the SEC all-freshman team and was named the SEC Freshman of the Year.
Antonio McDyess: Starting center (1993-1995)
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Antonio McDyess only spent two seasons at Alabama before declaring for the 1995 NBA draft. He was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Clippers. in his final collegiate season, McDyess led the program in points per game and rebounds per game.
His NBA career featured one All-Star selection and five different franchises played for. He ultimately retired from his 16-year career in 2011.
Gerald Wallace: Starting forward (2000-2001)
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Gerald Wallace declared for the 2001 NBA draft and was selected No. 25 overall by the Sacramento Kings. In his one season with the Crimson Tide program, he shot 43.8% from the field, averaged 9.8 points per game and six rebounds per game.
Mo Williams: Reserve guard (2001-2003)
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Mo Williams only spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide before declaring for the 2003 NBA, he was drafted No. 47 overall by the Utah Jazz. While at Alabama, Williams was named to the 2003 third-team All-SEC and the 2002 SEC freshman of the year.
In 2016, Williams won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Currently, he now serves as the head coach for Jacksonville State.
Reggie King: Reserve forward (1975-1979)
(AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)
Reggie King’s college career was loaded with accolades. In his time at Alabama, King was named Alabama Mr. Basketball in 1975, SEC Male Athlete of the Year in 1979, a two-time SEC Player of the Year and a two-time second-team All-American.
Derrick McKey: Reserve forward (1984-1987)
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Derrick McKey played three seasons for the Crimson Tide and was the SEC Player of the Year in 1987. In that same year, he was selected No. 9 overall by the Seattle Supersonics.
In the NBA, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and won a FIBA gold medal with the United States national team.
Jamychal green: Reserve forward (2008-2012)
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JaMychal Green was the 2008 Alabama Mr. Basketball and was named First-Team All-SEC in 2011.
Though he went undrafted out of college, he found his way onto an NBA roster in 2014 and has had a long career that remains active today.
Leon Douglas: Reserve center (1972-1976
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Leon Douglas, an Alabama native, helped the program make t’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1975 and its first tournament win in 1976, in which Douglas scored 35 points.
He went on to be the fourth overall selection in the 1976 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons.
