Alabama Athletics

TUSCALOOSA – Alabama men’s basketball freshman guard Collin Sexton made it official on Friday that he will enter his name in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Sexton becomes just the second UA freshman to declare for the NBA Draft in program history. Former Crimson Tide standout Gerald Wallace made the jump after his rookie season in 2001 and was drafted with the 24^th overall pick in the first round.

“I would like to say thank you to my family, coaches, teammates and all of Bama Nation for helping me make my dream come true,” Sexton said. “You all hold a special place in my heart. I will continue to work hard every day and represent The University of Alabama in a way that makes you all proud. I especially would like to thank my teammates and coaches because without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Roll Tide Forever!”

Sexton recently became the 19^th different player in program history, and first since 2008 (Richard Hendrix), to earn All-America accolades. Additionally, he was named the Associated Press Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-SEC, while the league’s coaches voted him as the SEC Freshman of the Year and to the All-Freshman squad and All-SEC second team.

“It’s been a great journey,” head coach Avery Johnson said. “This is the next phase of his life. A phase that I have been a part of for quite a long time, but we are excited for the family. We’re also excited about the Alabama men’s basketball program and us being able to develop players that can play at the next level.

During the 2017-18 season, Sexton helped lead the Crimson Tide men’s basketball team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012 and its first win in the tournament since 2006. His 632 points on the year not only ranked as the third-most in program history, but set the freshman single-season scoring record.

The Mableton, Ga., native finished the year ranked second in the Southeastern Conference with 19.2 points per game, while adding 3.8 rebounds and a team-leading 3.6 assists per contest. He topped Alabama in field goals made (196) and attempted (438) and free throws made (196) and attempted (252). In addition to his freshman scoring record, Sexton set a new school record for free throws made in a season and ranked fourth in program history in free throws attempted.

Sexton finished the season with 29 double-digit scoring games, 16 games of scoring 20 or more and three games of 30 or more points.

In the classroom, Sexton, a business major, earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average during the fall semester, placing him on the President’s List.

In addition to its 14 previous first round selections, Alabama has produced 42 all-time NBA Draft picks and three top-10 draftees (Antonio McDyess, 2^nd overall in 1995; Derrick McKey, 9^th overall in 1987 and Leon Douglas, 4^th overall in 1976). No UA player has been drafted since 2008 (Hendrix).