Former Alabama Guard Could Return to Crimson Tide

The Crimson Tide will welcome a familiar face to the Capstone on a visit this week. Former Alabama and Kansas guard Rylan Griffen will return to Tuscaloosa for a visit after entering the transfer portal earlier this offseason, according to Joe Tipton of On3 Sports.

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Griffen, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard from Dallas, Texas, was a key member of the Crimson Tide's Final Four run during the 2024 NCAA Tournament. In the 2023-24 men's basketball season, Griffen appeared in 36 games, starting 33 of them, while averaging 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 45.4 percent from the floor and 39.2 percent from three-point range.

Griffen departed Alabama after the Final Four, signing with Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks. In his one season with Kansas, Griffen averaged 6.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 37.2 percent from the floor and 33.6 percent from three-point range.

The Tide missed size at guard this season. Mark Sears (6-foot tall) and Aden Holloway (6-foot-1) were the leaders for the Tide at point guard with the first and second units, but Latrell Wrightsell Jr.'s season-ending injury eight games into the season hurt Alabama with guard length. Now, with the Tide losing Sears, Alabama could look to have a bigger lineup next season.

Would you welcome back Griffen if he wants to return to Alabama to play for head coach Nate Oats?

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.