News Article: Amari Allen Impresses Oats

[CajunCrimson]

Which Alabama Freshman Has Been a 'Surprise' to Nate Oats?

Crimson Tide guard Amari Allen has impressed his head coach and teammates since he arrived this offseason.

www.si.com

"As far as this year, we didn't plan on redshirting anybody," Oats said. "We didn't talk about that with any of the newcomers, but I think the guy that maybe stood out as a surprise based on where he was ranked and where he's going to end up playing is probably a guy like Amari Allen. I don't pay that close attention to the rankings, but I'll say this: he's going to be a lot better than where he was ranked.

The 6-foot-8, 205-pounder was the first member of the class to do so. He has been committed to the Crimson Tide since September 2024.

 

[CajunCrimson]

6’8” guard

 

[Coach D]

Good to read especially with injuries coming into season.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

6’8” guard

Not a basketball guy, but isn't that unusually tall for a guard?🤔

 

[CajunCrimson]

Not a basketball guy, but isn't that unusually tall for a guard?🤔

Yes. Very.

 

[CajunCrimson]

Nate had his first press conference for the season yesterday and said this is probably his best shooting team he’s ever had. I hope that’s not coach speak. He tends to not participate in that.

 

[BamaMoon]

Sounds like he may be a slightly shorter version of Brandon Miller. While we list him as a "guard," he is described as a small forward. Sounds like he'll probably play the 2 or 3.

But in that pic he already looks alot thicker than BM. Gonna be fun watching him!

 

[BamaMoon]

Nate had his first press conference for the season yesterday and said this is probably his best shooting team he’s ever had. I hope that’s not coach speak. He tends to not participate in that.

That could be crazy scary for opposing SEC teams if true. I mean, talk about lighting up the scoreboard and just being able to run opposing teams out of the gym!!!

 

[AlistarWills]

Not a basketball guy, but isn't that unusually tall for a guard?🤔

Wasn’t Magic 6-10?

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

Wasn’t Magic 6-10?

If he was, that would seem to be an outlier as I was pointing out... 😎

 

[dayhiker]

Wasn’t Magic 6-10?

6'-9" or 6'-10".

Fletch was 6'-5", but 6'-9" with the afro. He may have been a forward though.

 

[dayhiker]

We had a 6'-9" or so guard a couple of years back. I'm can't recall where he transferred.

EDIT: Kris Parker. He plays for UCF now.

 

[BamaHoopsBoi]

Can't wait to watch him. I am clueless on what to expect from this team this year and that excites me!

 

[BamaMoon]

Yes, Magic Ervin Johson played at 6' 10", but he was a freak of nature to be able to move and handle the ball the way he did. But his true weapon was his uncanny court vision. If any point guard ever had "eyes in the back of his head" it was Magic!

Magic could literally play all 5 positions in an era when NOBODY could.