Desmond Claude: "They ain't got no money left", "Don't have to pretend he's good": Fans react as Alabama ends pursuit of USC transfer Desmond Claude

The Alabama Crimson Tide, coached by Nate Oats, is ending their pursuit of Desmond Claude. On Thursday, Joe Tipton reported on X that the Crimson Tide are no longer as the USC Trojans transfer, as Labaron Philon has withdrawn his name from the 2025 NBA Draft.

This means that Philon will be returning for a second year of college basketball with the Crimson Tide after they finished the 2024-25 season with an overall record of 28-9. Alabama made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA national tournament.

College basketball fans and spectators then speculated on what could be the reason for the Crimson Tide to take this step.

In his third year of college basketball, first with coach Eric Musselman's Trojans, Claude averaged team-highs in points and assists with 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists a game for the Trojans, who finished with an overall record of 17-18. USC played in the March Madness, advancing to the second round.

Desmond Claude reportedly received offers from the Tennessee Volunteers and the Oregon Ducks

Given that the Alabama Crimson Tide are no longer pursuing Desmond Claude, there are other programs that have the incoming senior on their radar. Per college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman on X, this includes the Tennessee Volunteers and the Oregon Ducks.

The "Field of 68: After Dark" co-host also mentioned the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the SMU Mustangs as viable new homes for the guard. Claude spent his first two years with the Xavier Musketeers before spending his junior year at USC.

About the author

Koby del Rosario is a college sports journalist at Sportskeeda who took up BS in Advertising Management at De La Salle University, one of the big "four" universities in the Philippines. Koby has over four years of experience with Complex PH, M2.0 Communications, The LaSallian, Daily Tribune, and Time Attack Manila.

Koby's favorite college team would have to be the North Carolina Tar Heels. Apart from being MJ's alma mater, Koby has always been fond of the Jordan silhouettes that release in the school's colors (being a sneakerhead himself).

His past favorite college players would have to be Russell Westbrook (UCLA) and Markelle Fultz (Washington). With Russ, his 1-2 punch with Kevin Love during their UCLA days was something Koby marveled at as Russ became his favorite player to watch post-Kobe.

Besides playing basketball, Koby enjoys nightlife, collecting sneakers, and playing video games. Apart from hosting parties and taking pictures for parties/bars/clubs, Koby is learning to DJ as a hobby with all sorts of house and hip-hop as the main genres.

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