Bama in the NBA: Contagious Injury Bug

Let’s check in on former Crimson Tide basketball players in the NBA with the All-Star break in the rear mirror.

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Keon Ellis (Shooting Guard, Sacramento Kings)

Elllis contributed to the Sacramento Kings' scoring last week. Ellis finished with 8 points and 6 rebounds in Monday's loss against the Dallas Mavericks. Ellis improved his game with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and two blocks in a losing effort against the New Orleans Pelicans. The next day, Ellis finished the week with 7 points and one steal in another loss to the Pelicans.

Ellis is stepping up for the Kings after De'Aaron Fox's recent departure. Ellis is a nuisance on defense, disrupting other teams' passing lanes. On offense, Elllis' three-point shooting creates opportunities for other Kings to succeed. Over the last ten games, Ellis has shot 45.3 percent from three and 48.8 percent from the field.

Ellis' basketball career began at Leesburg High School in Florida, where he led his team to consecutive state championships in 2017 and 2018. He was a terrific player, earning All-State honors while helping Leesburg dominate Florida high school basketball. He maintained his success at Florida SouthWestern State College, where he became one of the best junior college players in the country. Ellis was chosen a Second team NJCAA All-American after averaging 18.7 points per game and helping his team to a 59-5 record in two seasons. He was known for his defensive abilities and all-around play, and he established school records for scoring and steals, making him one of the most sought-after JUCO talents in the country.

Ellis' defensive toughness and agility helped him rapidly establish himself at Alabama. Following a strong debut season in 2020-21, he emerged as one of the SEC's top two-way players in 2021-22, earning a berth on the All-Defensive Team. He was the only player to start all 33 games for Alabama, leading the team in rebounding, steals, three-point shooting, and free-throw % while routinely protecting the opponent's best player. He had noteworthy games, including a career-high 28 points against No. 5 Kentucky and other double-doubles. His unwavering commitment and defensive prowess made him a valuable member of the Alabama team and one of the SEC's most versatile guards.

Collin Sexton (Point Guard, Utah Jazz)

Collin Sexton sprained his left ankle against the Indiana Pacers on February 3rd. Sexton drove to the basket forcefully in the first quarter but was unable to sprint afterward. Sexton collapsed on the court before reaching the bench as the Utah Jazz called a timeout. Last Thursday, the Utah Jazz announced that Sexton will be out against the Los Angeles Clippers. It is unclear how long Sexton will be out.

Sexton distinguished himself as one of the best high school players in the country while attending Pebblebrook High School in Georgia. He was a consensus top-10 recruit, with 247Sports ranking him as the No. 2 point guard in the country and earning McDonald's All-American accolades. He also represented Team USA, winning MVP at the FIBA U17 World Championships. Sexton, known for his explosive shooting abilities, averaged over 30 points per game on the EYBL tour and was voted Georgia's Class 7A Player of the Year for 2017. His dominant performances and unwavering intensity helped him become one of the most sought-after recruits in the country.

In 2017-18, Sexton had a fantastic freshman season at Alabama, receiving AP Honorable Mention All-America and SEC Co-Freshman of the Year awards. He led the team in scoring, averaging 19.2 points per game, and established the freshman scoring record with 632 points. He is known for his clutch ability, having nailed a buzzer-beating game-winning shot against Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament and scoring 31 points to defeat top-seeded Auburn. He scored 40 points against No. 14 Minnesota, the most by an Alabama player since 1979. Sexton's ability to take over games and produce under pressure contributed significantly to Alabama's NCAA Tournament run, as he scored 25 points in a first-round victory over Virginia Tech.

Noah Clowney (Forward, Brooklyn Nets)

Noah Clowney has been out since the All-Star break due to injury. Clowney suffered a left ankle sprain during a loss to the Kings on January 27. Clowney has 6 points in the 12 minutes leading up to his injury.

Clowney developed as one of South Carolina's top high school prospects while attending Dorman High School, where he played under legendary coach Thomas Ryan. Rivals listed him as the No. 1 player in the state and the No. 7 power forward nationally, with a consensus four-star recruiting rating. Clowney demonstrated his flexibility and two-way abilities during the NBPA Top 100 Camp, receiving recognized as one of the top players in attendance. He also had success on the AAU circuit with Team Dickerson Celtics, averaging 17.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. His outstanding accomplishments drew offers from several major universities, but he ultimately chose Alabama over Indiana, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, and Georgia Tech.

Clowney had an immediate impact as a freshman at Alabama during the 2022-23 season, receiving SEC All-Freshman Team recognition. Starting all 36 games, he averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game, giving the Crimson Tide a formidable interior presence. He reached double figures 14 times, led the team in rebounding 14 times, and blocked eight times. His season-high 22 points in a victory over South Dakota State emphasized his scoring potential, while his three double-doubles and eight games with double-digit rebounds demonstrated his ability to control the glass. Clowney's overall contributions were critical to Alabama's success, confirming his standing as one of the SEC's premier young big men.

Herb Jones (Forward, New Orleans Pelicans)

The New Orleans Pelicans confirmed last week that Herb Jones will miss the rest of the season due to a posterior labrum injury in his right shoulder.

Jones had an MRI on January 9th after leaving the previous night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Jones missed 18 games previously this season due to the same ailment before returning on December 5th and started 16 consecutive games.

Jones became a standout basketball player at Hale County High School in Alabama, where he played for his father, Walter Jones Sr. Jones, a talented wing, was regarded as one of the state's finest prospects and was named to several All-State teams. He finished his high school career by guiding Hale County to the state championship in 2017, winning tournament MVP honors while averaging 16.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

Jones soon established himself at Alabama as a defensive force and leader. As a freshman, he appeared in 35 games and set a school record with 23 charges taken in a season. His defensive abilities only improved, and during his sophomore and junior years, he was a major member of Alabama's roster, receiving SEC All-Defensive Team honors while fighting ailments, including a fractured wrist during his junior season.

Jones took pleasure in his most dominant season (2020-21), guiding Alabama to the SEC regular-season and tournament championships. He was selected SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, and he was one of just two players in the country to reach the semifinals for both the Naismith Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards. He led the team in numerous statistical categories, averaging 11.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He was also named an Associated Press and Sporting News Third-Team All-American. His season included numerous noteworthy performances, including a career-high 21 points against Georgia and a game-winning layup in the SEC Championship victory over LSU.

After a loss this past weekend to No.1 Auburn, Alabama's MBK will begin a short road trip this week to take on the Missouri Tigers on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. CT on SEC Network and Tide 100.9 FM WTBC & 1230 AM. Missouri defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 87-74 in a road win behind Anthony Robinson II's 15 points, 5 rebounds, and four steals.

Chase Brumfield is the morning producer and writer for Tide 100.9. He is currently a senior studying communications at Mississippi State University. Follow Chase for more Alabama content on X at @cb3864.