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The deeply rooted rivalry between Auburn and Alabama intensifies as former Auburn star guard Aden Holloway to Alabama. With a strong freshman season averaging 7.3 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 rebounds per game, Holloway caught the attention of Alabama's head coach, Nate Oats, after their star guard Mark Sears declared for the NBA Draft on April 11.
The void left by Mark Sears caught more gravity after Rylen Griffen announced his plans to enter the transfer portal. As a result, Nate Oats had to go out into the market to pick up a promising talent like Aden Holloway.
However, the announcement led to a debate on social media platforms like X, with both Auburn and Crimson Tide fans having mixed reactions.
"Dead to us," said one fan.
"Nate Oats does't stop cooking, great recruiter," said another.
Few other Crimson Tide fans welcomed Aden Holloway after learning about the need for a guard in the upcoming campaign and kept the rivalry aside.
"As a lifelong Bama fan since 2021, I do not care for this. Getting our rival's leftovers is crazy, but maybe he will be good enough for our not as loaded guard room!" stated one fan.
"Don't love this but trust Nate with my life," said another.
Meanwhile, other fans commented on how disloyal the players are these days. They did not appreciate the fact that a rivalry wasn't respected.
"These kids have no sense of loyalty or commitment," a fan stated.
"Auburn to Alabama is nuts," said another.
Three Alabama players enter the transfer portal
After one of the most successful runs in the NCAA tournament where they reached the Final Four for the first time, the Alabama Crimson Tide has about three players who have entered the transfer portal this year.
Following Mark Sears's announcement, four-star prospect Davin Cosby followed suit on April 12 after completing his lone season with the team. Lastly, Kris Parker, who joined Alabama in 2023, opted to depart from the Crimson Tide on April 10.
