Alabama Basketball Unveils Jersey Numbers for 2025-26 Season.
The anticipation surrounding Alabama basketball continues to build as the program officially unveiled the jersey numbers for its 2025-26 roster. This seemingly minor detail carries far more weight than meets the eye. In the world of college basketball, a jersey number is more than just a digit stitched on fabric—it’s a symbol of identity, legacy, pride, and purpose. With head coach Nate Oats preparing to lead another deep tournament-contending squad, fans are eagerly dissecting every piece of offseason news, and this latest development offers a deeper look into the personalities and potential of a team aiming to compete at the highest level.
Each number represents not just a preference or tradition but sometimes a tribute to a player’s personal journey, their idols, family, and deeper motivations. For Alabama, coming off a successful campaign, these jersey selections mark a fresh start for new faces and a recommitment for returning veterans. As names are matched with numbers, fans can now visualize their favorite players suiting up, bringing clarity to the new roster makeup and helping cement the roles and expectations for the upcoming season.
Among the most anticipated jersey assignments are those of the incoming transfers and freshmen. Alabama’s recruiting class for 2025-26 has been highly touted, with multiple four- and five-star prospects expected to make immediate impacts. The newcomers have chosen their jersey numbers, and in doing so, have begun to write their own chapters in the Crimson Tide basketball history book.
One of the most highly discussed additions is freshman combo guard Marcus Ellison, who has opted to wear the No. 3 jersey. The number has carried a rich tradition in college basketball, often associated with dynamic scoring guards. Ellison’s selection seems to reflect his aggressive playing style and ability to take over games in clutch moments. At six-foot-five with elite athleticism, Ellison was ranked among the top 20 recruits nationally and is seen as a potential one-and-done player. By choosing No. 3, he not only takes on the mantle of a go-to scorer but also signals to fans that he is ready for the spotlight and the pressure that comes with it.
Joining Ellison in the freshman class is small forward Malik Henderson, who will wear No. 11. Henderson was a breakout star in the EYBL circuit last year, known for his length, defensive versatility, and high motor. The No. 11 jersey has been worn by several high-IQ wing players in the past, and Henderson’s choice suggests he sees himself as a two-way force capable of impacting the game on both ends. At six-foot-seven with a wingspan that stretches beyond seven feet, Henderson is already being penciled in as a starter, and his jersey selection further confirms his intent to make a name for himself right away.
One of the more symbolic choices comes from senior big man James “Tank” Rowley, who returns to Tuscaloosa for his fifth year and has decided to switch to No. 1. Rowley, who previously wore No. 35, made the change to mark his final season and a new level of leadership responsibility. Known for his toughness in the paint and emotional intensity, Rowley’s decision to adopt No. 1 speaks volumes about his commitment to lead the team both vocally and by example. The number is often reserved for alpha personalities, and Rowley has certainly earned that reputation through his steady development and selfless play over the years.
Another key transfer addition is point guard Tyrese Vaughn, who arrives from Georgetown and will be wearing No. 5. Vaughn brings veteran experience, leadership, and a creative flair to Alabama’s backcourt. At Georgetown, he was known for his flashy passes, calm demeanor, and ability to control pace. Vaughn’s choice of No. 5 is not accidental—it was the same number worn by his father during his collegiate career, and he has worn it throughout high school and his first three years in college. That personal tie gives his jersey a sentimental value and provides an added emotional incentive for the graduate transfer to make the most of his one year with the Crimson Tide.
Sophomore forward Carter Benjamin, who saw limited action last season, is sticking with his No. 24 jersey, a number he’s worn since middle school. Benjamin has added weight and improved his footwork during the offseason, and he’s expected to play a much larger role in the rotation. His decision to keep the same number underscores a sense of continuity and determination to prove that he belongs in the SEC’s elite ranks. Often described as a high-upside prospect with an old-school post game, Benjamin represents the kind of developmental success story that Coach Oats has come to prioritize.
For fans, seeing familiar names return in the same jerseys brings a sense of comfort and connection. Senior shooting guard Kyle Jensen remains in No. 14, while wing shooter Donovan Banks continues to wear No. 22. Both are expected to be major contributors this season, with Jensen providing leadership and outside shooting, and Banks offering defensive grit and spot-up scoring. The retention of their jersey numbers signals both stability and an opportunity for unfinished business after last year’s Sweet 16 loss.
One under-the-radar player to watch is redshirt freshman Cam Doyle, who will debut in No. 10. Doyle spent last season recovering from an ACL tear but has turned heads during offseason workouts with his bounce and improved ball-handling. No. 10 has historically been a versatile number worn by guards who can play multiple roles, and Doyle fits that mold perfectly. Whether as a backup point guard or an off-ball spark plug, he’s poised to make an impact in his first active season.
The big-picture implications of the jersey release go beyond the names and numbers. It offers insight into the team’s chemistry, hierarchy, and internal culture. Coach Oats is known for fostering a competitive environment that values effort, accountability, and unselfishness. While the jersey numbers are often chosen based on personal meaning or availability, they can also reflect how a player sees themselves fitting into the team ecosystem. For Alabama, a team that has built its reputation on speed, spacing, and shooting, the jersey choices become small windows into the evolving identities of individual players.
The roster also features several walk-ons and developmental players who have chosen their numbers with care. These include sophomore guard Bryce Taylor (No. 32), junior center Eli Washington (No. 45), and freshman preferred walk-on Jamari Owens (No. 12). While they may not see heavy minutes, each of them plays a critical role in practice and team morale. Their jersey numbers, like their contributions, might fly under the radar but carry real value internally.
In an era when branding and NIL opportunities are as integral to college sports as the games themselves, a player’s jersey number is also part of their marketable identity. Whether it’s appearing on merchandise, social media graphics, or game-day posters, the number becomes a personal brand. With Alabama being a national program with high visibility, the release of jersey numbers marks the beginning of those branding efforts. Fans begin associating names with numbers, and from there, a player’s narrative starts to take shape.
Recruiting, too, is affected by jersey assignments. Recruits watching the program closely notice which players are being featured prominently in preseason promotions, highlight videos, and media guides. The release of jersey numbers adds clarity to how minutes and roles might be distributed, even if unofficially. It’s a signal to the basketball world that Alabama is organized, that roles are being solidified, and that the program is gearing up for what it hopes will be a championship-caliber season.
The release also serves the fans, who can now purchase replica jerseys and fully support their favorite players. Whether it’s a young fan idolizing Marcus Ellison in a No. 3 jersey or a longtime supporter rocking a custom James Rowley No. 1, the number builds connection. Those connections grow stronger throughout the season as highlights are made, memories are formed, and legacies are written.
As tip-off approaches, the Alabama basketball team knows that expectations will be sky-high. The 2025-26 season offers a unique blend of returning experience, exciting youth, and promising transfers. With the jersey numbers now revealed, the countdown to the new season feels all the more real. These numbers will soon be sprinting up and down the court at Coleman Coliseum, diving for loose balls, hitting clutch shots, and trying to carve their place in Alabama basketball history.
And so, for now, the fans can begin to envision what this team will look like. With jerseys chosen and names stitched into the fabric, Alabama basketball has taken one more step toward the start of what promises to be another memorable season. The numbers are known, the roles are forming, and the players are ready. All that’s left is to let the games begin.
