The 2026 NBA Draft concluded with Labaron Philon Jr. being chosen No. 22 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, but the draft also highlighted a group of Alabama alumni who will need to carve out new paths to the league. Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Houston Mallette and Noah Williamson all went undrafted, leaving them as unrestricted free agents ready to negotiate.
College careers and statistical snapshots
Wrightsell Jr. contributed 13.2 points per game as a key member of Alabama’s 2023‑24 Final Four run, having transferred from Cal State Fullerton after three seasons there. Mallette, who arrived in Tuscaloosa after three years at Pepperdine, averaged 6.6 points and was praised by head coach Nate Oats for his leadership. Williamson, a recent transfer from Bucknell where he earned Patriot League Player of the Year honors, managed just 1.3 points per game for Alabama but brings a pedigree of collegiate excellence.
The transition from college to professional basketball is a familiar journey for many undrafted players, who often compete for two‑way or Exhibit‑10 contracts that can lead to G League participation. For Wrightsell Jr., Mallette and Williamson, the coming weeks will involve workouts, showcases and direct outreach to NBA franchises hoping to secure a spot on a summer league roster.
Alabama’s recent draft history under Coach Nate Oats underscores the program’s ability to produce NBA talent, with previous successes including Kira Lewis Jr., Brandon Miller, Noah Clowney and Herb Jones. The current cohort of undrafted players adds to that narrative, illustrating how quickly a player’s draft status can shift in a given year.
While the draft has ended, the market for these prospects remains fluid. Updates will be provided as each player finalizes agreements, with the potential for new signings to reshape the roster dynamics of several NBA teams.