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What's next for Alabama basketball's Chris Youngblood after Elite Eight loss to Duke?

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NEWARK, N.J. — Despite the Crimson Tide's season-ending Elite Eight loss to Duke, it doesn't sound like Alabama basketball guard Chris Youngblood is ready to leave the sport. He hopes to make it the NBA with his final year of eligibility used up.

In the wee hours of Sunday morning, Youngblood addressed his immediate plans.

Will Alabama basketball guard Chris Youngblood be taken in NBA Draft?

"I mean, psh, get ready for the next level," Youngblood grinned.

Youngblood arrived back in his hometown of Tuscaloosa by way of USF, where he spent one season after spending the first three years of his college career at Kennesaw State.

Although he only joined Alabama in April 2024, his time made a mark from the stat sheet to the hearts and minds of his teammates. Especially freshman Labaron Philon and Houston Mallette, who plans to return for a fifth season with the Crimson Tide.

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Philon and Mallette called Young one of their biggest mentors.

"He's great. Better than me," Philon said, appreciating Youngblood for giving him the tough criticism he wanted as he navigated his rookie season on the court.

"He'll get onto me. He don't sugarcoat or anything. Like, if you see me slacking, rough me up or something like that. Just having that big brother around really helped me grow throughout the season. Just grow stronger mentally," Philon said.

Hearing about the impact he made caused Youngblood think about his former coach Amir Adbur-Rahim, who was his own greatest teacher.

"It'd especially please coach Amir," Youngblood said. "I feel like he'll be more proud of hearing stuff like that, because he kind of taught me everything I know."

Abdur-Rahim, who was coach at Kennesaw State for Youngblood's tenure prior to bringing him to USF, died on Oct. 24, 2024.

Youngblood's main priority coming to Alabama wasn't to be a sniper from 3-point range, and while nursing the ankle injury that left him sidelined prior to his Crimson Tide debut in mid-December against Creighton, there was another shift when he learned of Rahim's passing.

"Probably my biggest intention to come into this team ... I knew everything I've been through, I can pour it onto them," Youngblood said.

Youngblood finished his collegiate career shooting 45.1% from the floor and 39.3% beyond the perimeter while averaging 1.5 assists per game. He made 81.9% of free throws and put up 3.6 boards per contest.

While he isn't projected in mock drafts by CBS or NBAdraft.net, Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports projected Youngblood as a second-round pick with Grant Nelson, Cliff Omoruyi, Mark Sears and Derrion Reid.

Mar 23, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) hugs coach Nate Oats after defeating the St. Mary's Gaels during the NCAA Tournament Second Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Philon is Alabama basketball's only player anticipated to be a first round pick, per CBS.

The NBA Draft will take place June 25 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Chris Youngblood reflects on Alabama basketball season, addresses future



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