Former Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NBA, MLB
When it comes to former Alabama Crimson Tide athletes in the pros, the connection that most people make is with the National Football League, and with good reason.
Hey, we get it. That's why BamaCentral has such a vast database dedicated to following Alabama players in the past present and future in the league, including the draft, all-time rosters and who's playing each week.
But what about baseball and basketball?
National Basketball Association
You'll note that 7-foot center Charles Bediako isn't listed. After not being selected in the NBA draft, he was on a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs, but tore his meniscus and was waived on Jan. 29.
- Noah Clowney, forward, Brooklyn Nets
- J.D. Davison, forward, Boston Celtics
- Keon Ellis, forward, Sacramento Kings
- Herb Jones, small forward, New Orleans Pelicans
- Braxton Key, small forward, Denver Nuggets
- Kira Lewis Jr., point guard, New Orleans Pelicans
- Brandon Miller, forward, Charlotte Hornets
- Joshua Primo, guard, Los Angeles Clippers
- Colin Sexton, point guard, Utah Jazz
Other Pro Basketball Leagues
- Jordan Bruner, power forward, Antranik Beirut (Lebanese)
- Ar'Mond Davis, small forward, CSM Targu Jiu (Romanian Division A)
- Jeff Garrett, forward, BV Chemnitz 99 (German BBL)
- Donta Hall, power forward AS Monaco Basket (French Jeep Elite)
- Dazon Ingram, shooting guard, KB Kalaja Prizren (Kosovo FBK)
- Michael Kessens, shooting forward, Paris Basketball (French Jeep Elite)
- Trevor Lacey, guard, Vanoli Cremona (Italian Lega)
- Tevin Mack, shooting forward, AS Karditsas (Greek HEBA A1)
- Retin Obasohan, point guard, Bertram Tortuna (Italian Lega)
- Levi Randolph, shooting guard, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (Israeli BSL)
- Alex Reese, forward, Remix (G League)
- Mykal Riley, forward, Besancon BCD (French NM1)
- Jaden Shackelford, guard, Blue (G League)
- Galin Smith, forward, HARKO Merlins Crailsheim (German BBL)
- Ricky Tarrant, shooting guard, Yalova Group Belediye Spor (Turkish TBL)
- Jimmie Taylor, center, Anorthosis Ammohostou (Cypriot)
- Dom Welch, shooting guard, UBSC Raiffeisen Graz (Austria)
Major League Baseball
Heading into the 2024 season, the Crimson Tide has six former players who are active heading into training camp, although one never actually played a game for Alabama.
The most notable, of course, is relief pitcher David Robertson, who a year ago signed a 1-year contract with the New York Mets for $10 million (all guaranteed). At the time, he claimed to wanting to get one more World Series ring before retiring.
There are three things of note:
• In a cost-cutting move, he was traded in July to the Miami Marlins for two young minor leaguers, and is now a free agent. Robertson finished last season 6-6, with a 3.03 ERA and 18 saves.
• Robertson will turn 39 this season. Before coming to the Mets, Robertson missed close to two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
• He's been negotiating his own contracts.
In January, he signed a one-year deal for $11.5 million with the reigning champion Texas Rangers.
Here's who MLB has listed as active players out of Alabama:
- Matt Foster, RP, Chicago White Sox
- Tyler Gentry, OF, Kansas City Royals
- Jimmy Nelson, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
- David Robertson, RP, Texas Rangers
- Bubba Thompson, OF, Cincinnati Reds*
- Spencer Turnbull, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
* Never played a game at Alabama. Flipped his commitment from Auburn, but was a first-round selection in the 2017 MLB Draft.
Listings are as of Feb. 14, 2024, and will be updated on a regular basis.
