From Tuscaloosa to Brooklyn: Every Alabama Player Drafted by the Nets

When you think of the Brooklyn Nets and the NBA Draft, you might immediately picture high-flying guards or versatile forwards. But a deep dive into the franchise’s history reveals a fascinating, if brief, connection to the University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide has produced NBA talent for decades, yet only two players in the entire history of the Nets organization—from their days in the American Basketball Association (ABA) through their New Jersey era and into the modern Brooklyn iteration—have been selected directly out of Tuscaloosa.

This isn’t a story of volume; it’s a story of extremes. One pick was a forgotten footnote in a tumultuous era. The other is a foundational piece of the team’s present and future. Let’s break down the complete, two-man list of Alabama players drafted by the Brooklyn Nets, analyze their impact, and explore what this unique connection means for the franchise moving forward.

The Forgotten Pioneer: A 1982 Gamble That Never Paid Off

To find the first Alabama player drafted by the Nets, we have to travel back to 1982. The franchise was still the New Jersey Nets, fresh off a move from Long Island and struggling to find an identity in the NBA. With the 21st overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, the Nets selected a forward from Alabama named Eddie Phillips.

Phillips was a solid college player for the Crimson Tide, known for his rebounding and physical play. In his senior season (1981-82), he averaged 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, helping Alabama reach the NCAA Tournament. At 6’7” and 225 pounds, he had the frame to compete in the NBA, but the transition proved brutal.

The Nets’ roster in 1982 was in flux. They had stars like Buck Williams and Darwin Cook, but the team was not a contender. Phillips appeared in just 27 games for New Jersey during the 1982-83 season, averaging a meager 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in limited minutes. He shot a paltry 36.5% from the field. By November of 1983, the Nets waived him. He never played another NBA game.

Expert Analysis: This pick is a classic example of the pre-analytics era. The Nets saw a hard-working college senior and hoped he could develop into a role player. Instead, Phillips became a cautionary tale. His NBA career lasted exactly one season. While he doesn’t represent a failure of scouting from Alabama itself—the Tide has produced many successful pros—it shows that even a first-round pick from a major program can be a complete miss. For Nets fans of the 1980s, Eddie Phillips is a name that barely registers, a ghost in the franchise’s draft history.

The Modern Marvel: How One Alabama Star Reshaped the Nets’ Future

Fast forward 41 years. The Nets are now in Brooklyn, and the franchise has been through a series of dramatic rebuilds. The 2022-23 season was a disaster, with the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving era imploding mid-season. The team traded both superstars and suddenly found themselves with a war chest of draft picks and a need for young, hungry talent.

Enter the 2023 NBA Draft. With the 21st overall pick—the exact same slot they used on Eddie Phillips in 1982—the Brooklyn Nets selected a wing from the University of Alabama: Noah Clowney.

The symmetry is eerie. Same pick number. Same school. But the outcomes could not be more different. Clowney was a one-and-done prospect for the Crimson Tide, a raw but incredibly gifted 6’10” forward with a 7’2” wingspan. He was not a polished scorer in college (averaging 9.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game), but he was a defensive menace who blocked shots and showed flashes of three-point shooting potential.

Why Clowney is Different: Unlike Phillips, Clowney was drafted for his upside. The Nets were not expecting him to contribute immediately. They saw a project—a long, athletic modern forward who could switch on defense and stretch the floor on offense. In his rookie season (2023-24), Clowney played in 23 games, averaging 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting a promising 36.4% from three-point range.

Predictions for Noah Clowney: This is where the story gets exciting. Clowney is currently a cornerstone of the Nets’ rebuild. With Brooklyn committed to developing young talent, Clowney is on track to be a starter within two seasons. His combination of size, defensive versatility, and a developing outside shot makes him a perfect fit for the modern NBA. Expect him to average a double-double by his third season, and do not be surprised if he becomes the best Alabama player in Nets history by a wide margin. He is the antithesis of the 1982 pick.

Comparing Eras: The Alabama Pipeline and the Nets’ Draft Philosophy

The fact that the Nets have only taken two players from Alabama in over 40 years is statistically interesting. It suggests that either the Nets’ scouting department has historically overlooked Tuscaloosa, or that Alabama’s NBA prospects have simply not fit the team’s needs at the time of the draft. However, a closer look reveals a shift in philosophy.

The 1982 Pick (Eddie Phillips): This was a win-now selection for a middling team. The Nets needed a ready-made role player. They got a player who was not ready for the NBA. It was a low-ceiling, low-floor gamble that failed.

The 2023 Pick (Noah Clowney): This is a high-ceiling selection for a rebuilding team. The Nets are not trying to win a championship today. They are stockpiling assets. Clowney represents the modern NBA prototype: a long, switchable defender who can shoot. The risk is lower because the team has time to develop him.

Bullet Points: Key Differences Between the Two Picks

• Context: 1982 was a veteran-heavy roster; 2023 was a blank-slate rebuild.
• Player Profile: Phillips (6’7”, low athletic ceiling) vs. Clowney (6’10”, elite physical tools).
• Outcome: Phillips played 27 games; Clowney is a long-term rotation piece.
• Scouting Era: 1982 was gut-feel scouting; 2023 is data-driven, focusing on wingspan and shooting potential.

Expert Analysis: The Nets have learned from their mistakes. The franchise has a history of missing on first-round picks (see: the infamous 2013 draft trade with Boston). But the selection of Clowney shows a disciplined, modern approach. They ignored the need for immediate production and instead invested in a player whose skill set—length, shooting, defensive versatility—translates to winning basketball in 2025 and beyond. Alabama’s program under Nate Oats has become a factory for these types of players, and the Nets were smart to tap into it.

The Future of the Tide-Nets Connection

So, what does the future hold? Will the Brooklyn Nets continue to draft from Alabama? Given the Crimson Tide’s recent success in producing NBA talent (Brandon Miller, Jaden Shackelford, and others), it is highly likely.

The Nets currently have a young core of Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Nic Claxton, with Clowney as a key developmental piece. As they continue to rebuild, they will need more cheap, controllable talent. Alabama’s system—which emphasizes pace, space, and defensive aggression—prepares players perfectly for the Nets’ style of play.

Prediction: Within the next three drafts, the Nets will select another Alabama player. Whether it’s a guard like Mark Sears or a versatile forward, the pipeline is open. The Nets’ front office, led by Sean Marks, has shown a willingness to take swings on high-upside players from elite programs. Alabama is now an elite program. The 2023 pick of Noah Clowney was not an anomaly; it was a statement of intent.

Conclusion: Two Picks, Two Worlds

The history of Alabama players drafted by the Brooklyn Nets is a microcosm of the franchise’s own evolution. The 1982 selection of Eddie Phillips represents the old Nets—disorganized, short-sighted, and ultimately forgettable. The 2023 selection of Noah Clowney represents the new Nets—patient, analytical, and building for sustained success.

One player played a handful of games and vanished. The other is a 20-year-old with the potential to be a two-way star. As the Nets continue their climb back to relevance in the Eastern Conference, they will do so with a piece of Alabama basketball in their lineup. For the first time in franchise history, the Tide-to-Nets connection actually matters. Keep your eyes on Noah Clowney. He is not just a draft pick; he is the answer to a trivia question that is quickly becoming a story of redemption.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.