Alabama’s Joshua Primo Confirms He Will Stay In NBA Draft

The Alabama Crimson Tide is coming off one of its best basketball season's in program history, as a result, head coach Nate Oats has to deal with roster turnover. Highly rated freshman Josh Primo was one of several Alabama players to enter his name into the NBA Draft after the season. After a strong combine in Chicago this past week, Primo has made the decision to forgo his college eligibility and remain in the NBA draft.

"Going into this draft, it was a test-the-waters situation, but as time went on and I continued to get feedback, it became more real each and every day," Primo told ESPN. "I'm ready to help a winning franchise. I talked to Coach [Nate] Oats a lot. He wants what's best for me and is right behind me."

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"This has been a lifelong dream for Josh and I am extremely excited for him and his family. He’s been great to coach and I am grateful that they trusted our staff to help prepare him for this moment. Our team had a successful season last year and Josh played a big part in that success. We couldn’t be happier that his hard work is paying off. He is a terrific young man who has been an incredible representative of our program," said Alabama head coach Nate Oats.

The Canadian is the youngest player in the NBA Draft and appears to be trending as the first Alabama player drafted, ahead of SEC Player of the Year Herb Jones and the school record holder for 3-point makes John Petty. Primo is ranked the No. 25 prospect in the draft by ESPN, making him a candidate to be picked in the late first round.

The 6-foot-6 combo guard earned SEC All-Freshman Team for his 2020 season, he made 19 starts on 30 appearances as a reclassified 5-star recruit. Primo averaged 8.1 points per game, 3.4 rebounds and almost one assist per game while shooting 38% from beyond the arc.

Primo ranked third on the team in 3-point percentage and notched a career-high 22 points in contests against the Auburn and LSU Tigers.

The NBA Draft will take place on July 29 in Brooklyn, NY. The Crimson Tide is hopeful to see all three of its top prospects drafted in the top 60 picks.