Amari Allen is running it back.
The forward from Green Bay, Wisconsin, who earned All-SEC Freshman team honors last season, withdrew his name from the NBA draft hours before the deadline and will return to the Crimson Tide in 2026-27, Yea Alabama announced on Wednesday.
Allen had until 10:59 p.m. CT on Wednesday to decide to stay in the NBA draft or return to college. Much like former Crimson Tide star guard Labaron Philon Jr., Allen waited until the final day to make his decision after going through the NBA draft process.
Guess who’s back? pic.twitter.com/Djrr5EmFTn
— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) May 27, 2026
“Well obviously, this is the place that I want to be [at],” Allen said after the team’s 90-77 loss to Michigan in the Sweet 16. “I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I don’t really have much conversations with that. My mom, my dad and my agent, we all know that I want to be here. I’ll let them take care of all of the other stuff. If the NBA is the best option, they decide that. I’m just trying to focus on getting better every day.”
With Philon set to remain in the NBA draft, Allen will likely receive a larger role with the ball in his hands. If guard Aden Holloway’s legal situation does not permit him to compete for Alabama next season, Allen will likely serve as the team’s No. 1 scoring option.
“Welcome back, Amari,” head coach Nate Oats said in a post to X on Wednesday.
As a freshman, Allen started in 24 of the 32 games he appeared in, including each of the Crimson Tide’s three NCAA tournament games. He averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on 44.6% shooting.
Allen scored a career-high 25 points in the team’s 96-90 loss to Vanderbilt in January, and knocked down a career-high six 3-pointers against Mississippi State in February.
