Auburn’s transferring guard, Aden Holloway, decides to join the basketball team at Alabama.

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the basketball rivalry between Auburn and Alabama gains new intrigue as Aden Holloway, a transfer point guard from Auburn, commits to joining Nate Oats’ team, according to a report by Joe Tipton of On3 Sports.

Holloway, who arrived at Auburn with high acclaim as a 5-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American in the 2023 class, spent just one season there before entering the transfer portal. While at Auburn, he started 25 out of 36 games, averaging 7.3 points and 2.7 assists per game during his freshman year. Despite facing some challenges, he showcased flashes of his potential, notably with a strong debut performance scoring 19 points against Baylor. Although his shooting struggled, hovering around 30 percent for the season, his talent was evident.

His decision to join Alabama fills a void at the point guard position, especially with uncertainty surrounding Mark Sears’ future as he contemplates entering the NBA Draft. Holloway aims to regain confidence in Oats’ dynamic offensive system, which seeks to leverage his shooting abilities that stood out in high school.

Alabama’s recruitment efforts from the transfer portal now include Holloway, along with Pepperdine guard Houston Mallette and South Florida guard Chris Youngblood. The team has experienced departures from five players from last year’s Final Four squad: Rylan Griffen, Nick Pringle, Sam Walters, Davin Cosby, and Kris Parker.

Holloway’s commitment leaves Alabama with one remaining open roster spot for the next season, though this could change depending on further NBA Draft declarations and transfer portal activity. He still has three years of eligibility remaining.