Auburn Guard Aden Holloway Transfers To Rival Alabama

Auburn Tigers men’s basketball guard Aden Holloway thought that one season with the defending SEC champions was enough, and has decided to take his talents elsewhere.

In the eyes of Tigers fans, he picked the worst new school possible.

The freshman and former McDonald’s All-American is taking his talents to Tuscaloosa to join head coach Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide. 

Despite having a relatively rough season in terms of shooting (especially down the stretch), Holloway could fit well in Oats’ system. The Crimson Tide run an NBA-style offense, where five players line up around the perimeter and primarily shoot either threes or layups. For a guy with Holloway’s shooting, that could be an ideal fit for his talents.

Furthermore, Holloway could be in line to take over the Tide’s role as starting point guard should Mark Sears get drafted.

Aden Holloway (1) goes up for a layup against Alabama in February of 2024. He'll be playing on the different side of the rivalry next season. (© Jake Crandall, USA TODAY NETWORK)

Oats will be pleased to have Holloway on the roster, especially considering that he gave him high praise earlier this season.

"He's one of the best guards in the country, in my opinion," Oats said in January.

Holloway joins a stacked transfer portal class, highlighted by Pepperdine guard Houston Mallette and  USF small forward Chris Youngblood. The trio will bolster a roster looking to win its third SEC title since the 2020-2021 season, and get back to the Final Four in back-to-back years.