‘Crimson Crane’ celebration revived Alabama basketball’s Grant Nelson in time for March Madness

AUBURN, Ala. — When Grant Nelson revived the “Crimson Crane” celebration after a deafening dunk in Neville Arena, the Alabama basketball forward’s game soared.

Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats has been looking for the version of the 6-foot-11 rim reaper who took down UNC in last season’s Sweet 16, or the one that dropped a season-high 25 points at Kentucky. However, a grueling seven-game stretch left Alabama (24-7, 13-5 SEC) beaten and bruised, and Nelson had a hard time staying healthy over the last few weeks.

Evidently, No. 1 Auburn took Nelson’s legs during its visit to Tuscaloosa, and Nelson found them again on the Plains on Saturday.

Nelson led Alabama with 23 points, shooting 8-for-15 from the floor, and 8 rebounds in 35 minutes against the 2025 SEC regular-season champs as Alabama won 93-91 in overtime.

Much to the dismay of Auburn fans who were hanging over the railings, Nelson struck the pose again on his way back to the locker room after the Crimson Tide clinched the win.For reference, the celebration popularized by Alabama football players John Metchie III and Jameson Williams in 2021 was inspired by the iconic crane kick from the end of the movie “The Karate Kid.”Given Auburn players hit the pose at half-court in Coleman Coliseum when the Tigers won, 94-85, in February, it’d be easy to think that Nelson’s celebration under the basket was premeditated.

“Oh no, I just decided to. It was, like, the first thing in my head,” Nelson laughed. “He was standing in front of me,”

The “he” in question just so happened to be Auburn’s Johni Broome.

Although Broome went on to score a game-high 34 points, making a statement face-to-face to the 6-10 Auburn forward proved to be the confidence boost Nelson needed to find the guy who Alabama couldn’t have reached last season’s Final Four without.

Don’t believe it? Entering the final game on Alabama’s regular-season slate, Nelson hadn’t splashed a three in six games straight. Less than a minute after the slam at the rim, Nelson’s 3-point shot came back.

He proceeded to lead the Crimson Tide with three on the evening.

Nelson finished regular-season action shooting over 52% from the floor to average 11.7 points per contests along with 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

Alabama will need the same Nelson it got against Auburn (27-4, 15-3 SEC) to survive beyond Friday when the Crimson Tide takes Nashville next week for the SEC Tournament, which will be held in Bridgestone Arena from Mar. 12-16.