The 2026-27 NBA season debuts tonight, and several Alabama Crimson Tide basketball players will be competing this season.

The most notable player is Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, who agreed to a 5-year, $209 million rookie contract extension with the Hornets. 

The second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft is coming off a stellar third season in the Queen City as he averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assist with 30.3 minutes per game. 

Miller will now be the only former Alabama player on the Hornets after guard Collin Sexton signed with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason on a 2-year, $19 million deal. 

Labaron Philon Jr. Will makes his NBA debut tonight for the Philadelphia 76ers as they take on the reigning NBA champions, the New York Knicks. 

Philon was drafted 22nd overall by the 76ers in this year’s draft after leading the Tide to the Elite Eight last season. 

Sexton averaged 15.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game last season. He started the 2025-26 season with the Chicago Bulls before being traded to the Hornets before the trade deadline. 

Sexton will now be on his fifth team in nine seasons after being drafted eighth overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018.Sexton’s first game with the Lakers will be Wednesday in Los Angeles for the team’s season openeragainst the Golden State Warriors. 

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones enters his sixth season with the team. Last season he totaled 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. 

Jones and the Pelicans’ first matchup this season will be at home hosting the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. 

The Brooklyn Nets enter the season with a trio of former Crimson Tide basketball players in forward Noah Clowney, guard Keon Ellis, and center Grant Nelson. 

Clowney enters his third season with the Nets and looks to be a prove-it year for the forward as he seeks a contract extension. 

Ellis signed a 2-year, $18 million deal with the Nets after spending four seasons with the Sacramento Kings and another season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Nelson is in his second season in the league after signing with the Nets as an undraftedrookie last season. He has played well for the team’s G League team, the Long Island Nets. 

The Crimson Tide trio will make their season debut for the Nets at home against Miller and the Hornets this Wednesday. 

Lastly, Chris Youngblood will debut for the Portland Trailblazers in his sophomore season after playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season. His Trailblazers take on the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.