Noah Clowney declares for NBA Draft as 4th Alabama player announces pro plans
Alabama coach Nate Oats will possibly have to replace four of the five members of his starting lineup next winter. Noah Clowney, a freshman forward, announced his plans to declare for the NBA Draft on social media.
“Ever since I could pick up a basketball, playing in the NBA has been a dream of mine,” Clowney wrote in a message thanking Alabama fans. “… Thank you to Coach Oats, all the coaches, trainers and basketball staff for preparing me every day to be great and challenging me to be the best version of myself.”
Clowney joins Brandon Miller, Charles Bediako and Jahvon Quinerly as other Alabama players who intend to test the professional waters. Miller is a projected top-five pick, Bediako and Quinerly are exploring interest from teams and Clowney is a late-first or early-second-round selection in some mock drafts.
A four-star prospect out of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Clowney started all 34 games he appeared in as big spacing the floor compared to Bediako’s rim-running offense. Clowney averaged 9.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He shot 49% from the field with 33 3-pointers (28.7%). He recorded 19 steals, blocked 32 shots and was selected for the All-SEC freshman team.
The now 6-foot-10 Clowney earned the nickname ‘Stretch’ in seventh grade and Alabama players adopted it once transfer forward Noah Gurley joined the team. Clowney can withdraw from the draft and return to Tuscaloosa by the May 31 deadline but with the team tweeting and acknowledging his intent, it’s very likely Alabama will be without two-thirds of its historic 2022 recruiting class next year.
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Earlier this week, guard Nimari Burnett announced his transfer to Michigan. Alabama did welcome former Yellowhammer state prep star Jaykwon Walton via the portal to add to its guard depth. Each of Alabama’s three current high school prospects can play either as a wing or forward. Sam Walters is listed at 6-foot-6 and is the No. 63 player in his class per 247Sports.
| Incoming 2023 freshmen | Transfer portal additions | Transfer portal departures | NBA draft | Exhausted eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davin Cosby (signed/reclassified to 2022 and enrolled early) | Jaykwon Walton (Wichita St.) | Nimari Burnett (Michigan) | Brandon Miller | Noah Gurley |
| Sam Walters (signed) | Charles Bediako (potentially) | Dom Welch | ||
| Mouhamed Dioubate (signed) | Jahvon Quinerly (potentially) | |||
| Kris Parker (committed) | Noah Clowney |
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].