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NBA Champions Sign Former Alabama Star Guard

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alec Musa | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 3:53 PM ET

For the second straight year, the Alabama Crimson Tide did not have a player selected in the NBA Draft.

However, Alabama is fresh off another Elite Elite finish, making it to the second weekend of the March Madness Tournament for the third straight season, indicating no shortage of star power.

Following the conclusion of the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, a quartet of former Crimson Tide stars signed with NBA franchises.

On Friday, following in the footsteps of guard Mark Sears (Milwaukee Bucks), forward Grant Nelson (Brooklyn Nets), and center Clifford Omoruyi (Toronto Raptors), sharpshooter Chris Youngblood inked a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Youngblood joined head coach Nate Oats and the Tide last season after a one-year stop with the South Florida Bulls, winning AAC Player of the Year. Before USF, Youngblood spent three seasons with the Kennesaw State Owls.

The fifth-year senior battled injuries last year but produced 10.3 points per game on a .45/.39/.80 shooting slash line. In a late-season SEC tilt against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Youngblood dropped 27 points on 7-of-11 from deep. He also had a 19-point outing on five made treys against the BYU Cougars in the Sweet Sixteen.

Youngblood will join the league champions after the Thunder vanquished the Indiana Pacers in seven games during the NBA Finals. It will be tough sledding for Youngblood to break the rotation, with Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, Alex Ducas, Jalen Williams, Aaron Wiggins, Ajay Mitchell, Adam Flagler, and Isaiah Jay all able to contribute as off-ball scoring guards.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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