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NO: Alabama Women’s Basketball is Now Represented Coast to Coast
For decades, Alabama has been known for its dominance on the football field. Nick Saban’s legendary tenure and the dynasty he built defined an era. But quietly, under the radar and outside the football spotlight, something remarkable has been happening in Tuscaloosa: the rise of Alabama Women’s Basketball — and now, the Crimson Tide is officially represented from coast to coast.
The phrase “NO,” in this context, doesn’t stand for rejection — it stands for “National Outreach” — a campaign quietly underway over the past several years that has now fully blossomed into a nationwide phenomenon. From California to the Carolinas, from Washington State to Miami, Alabama’s women’s basketball brand is stronger, louder, and more respected than ever before.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight. It took years of groundwork laid by Head Coach Kristy Curry, who took over the program in 2013. In her early seasons, the focus was primarily on building a competitive SEC roster. But Curry, a veteran with previous success at Purdue and Texas Tech, always had a broader vision — to make Alabama a national destination for women’s basketball.
In the 2024-25 season, the fruits of that vision are on full display.
The current Alabama roster boasts players from 10 different states, representing every major region in the U.S. That kind of diversity used to be reserved for elite powerhouse programs like UConn, Stanford, or South Carolina. Now, Alabama belongs in that conversation too.
Among the highlights:
- Jade Harmon, a lightning-quick guard out of Oakland, California, became the first West Coast signee to start in her freshman year for the Tide. She’s a product of the famed Cal Sparks AAU program and turned down offers from UCLA and Arizona.
- Sydney Rios, a 6’2” small forward from Brooklyn, New York, chose Alabama over Syracuse and Maryland. She’s been called a “positionless star” by ESPN for her ability to defend 1 through 5.
- Mikayla Summers, a four-star recruit out of Dallas, Texas, has been the team’s leading scorer in SEC play and has drawn comparisons to a young Arike Ogunbowale.
Even international borders couldn’t stop Alabama’s momentum. The 2025 recruiting class includes Alyssa Beauregard, a 6’4” center from Toronto, Canada, who many believe could be a future WNBA lottery pick. Her commitment to Alabama marked a major recruiting milestone: the program’s first five-star international prospect.
“I came to Alabama because they made me feel like family, and I knew I could grow here both on and off the court,” Beauregard said. “The culture is strong, and they’re not just building a team, they’re building a legacy.”
Behind this nationwide reach is a clear recruiting philosophy: Find high-character, high-upside athletes from untapped markets and develop them into stars.
Alabama’s staff has doubled down on building relationships with elite high school and AAU programs in:
- The Midwest: Detroit, Chicago, and Minneapolis are now key territories.
- The West Coast: California prep schools have welcomed Alabama’s coaching staff with open arms.
- The Deep South: Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana continue to supply consistent talent pipelines.
In the last two recruiting cycles, Alabama has landed five Top 100 players, the most in program history. And just as important, they’ve retained those players. While the transfer portal has rocked many programs, Alabama has kept its core intact.
That continuity is paying off.
This past season, Alabama cracked the AP Top 25 for the first time in seven years and notched wins over Tennessee, Kentucky, and a season-defining road win over then-No. 4 LSU. The victory in Baton Rouge was more than just an upset — it was a statement.
“It proved that we belong,” said Coach Curry. “We don’t just want to make the tournament — we want to compete deep into March.”
Alabama advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1998, with a record-setting season in terms of field goal percentage, assists, and points per game. They also boasted the highest GPA of any women’s basketball team in the SEC — showcasing the total-package development the program now promises.
As a result, TV exposure has skyrocketed. Alabama women’s games were broadcast nationally on ESPN2, SEC Network, and ABC. One key game against Georgia drew over 1.2 million viewers, smashing program records.
One of the biggest challenges for non-traditional powerhouses in women’s basketball has been competing in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era. But Alabama’s administration and collective groups have stepped up.
The “Bama Boosters Collective,” a fan-funded NIL operation, partnered with major Alabama brands like Regions Bank, Crimson Creamery, and Bryant Apparel Co. to ensure women’s basketball athletes are receiving top-tier support.
According to public filings and athlete disclosures, Alabama now ranks #4 in total NIL dollars allocated to women’s basketball players — trailing only LSU, South Carolina, and UConn. That financial backing has been a huge factor in securing and retaining top-tier talent.
One notable NIL success story is Jaida Franklin, who signed a multi-year deal with Gatorade after her viral buzzer-beater against Florida. Her TikTok following has grown to over 700,000, and she now hosts a bi-weekly podcast focused on mental health and women in sports.
For the first time, Alabama is appearing regularly in national power rankings, preseason watch lists, and mock drafts. Jaida Franklin and Mikayla Summers are both projected first-round picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Meanwhile, Kristy Curry was a semifinalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year Award, and her staff is gaining national recognition. Associate head coach Kelly Curry (no relation) was recently named a top assistant coach by “The Athletic,” while recruiting coordinator Tasha Pointer earned praise for her role in securing the program’s first McDonald’s All-American since 2001.
More telling than any trophy, though, is the perception shift happening around the country. National analysts, former players, and even rival coaches are now acknowledging Alabama as more than a “football school.”
“I’ve watched Alabama grow over the past five years, and what they’re doing now — it’s elite,” said ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo. “They’ve built something sustainable.”
The “coast to coast” mantra isn’t just about where the players come from — it’s about how the program is seen across the country. Social media engagement is up 380% year-over-year. Jersey sales have increased threefold. And Alabama hosted its first-ever women’s basketball alumni weekend, bringing back players from the 1990s to today.
Additionally, the program is taking its brand global. In summer 2025, Alabama will take a two-week exhibition tour across Europe, with games planned in Spain, Italy, and France. That’s an opportunity not only to develop the team but to show international recruits that Alabama is committed to a world-class experience.
While the progress is undeniable, Coach Curry and her staff are not slowing down.
“There’s still a lot left to prove,” Curry said in a recent press conference. “But I like where we are. Our program is respected nationally now. And we’ve got the pieces to keep climbing.”
Some of those pieces include:
- Lindsey Caldwell, the No. 6 overall player in the class of 2026, who recently committed to Alabama over Notre Dame and Texas.
- The planned renovation of Foster Auditorium, which will include upgraded locker rooms, practice courts, and fan experiences — set to break ground in 2026.
- A major push into international recruiting, with eyes on Australia and Nigeria.
Alabama women’s basketball is no longer a footnote in the SEC. It’s no longer just “on the rise.” It’s here.
The Crimson Tide are building a national program with Southern grit, academic strength, and athletic excellence. They’re attracting elite players from coast to coast and are being watched, admired, and respected across the country.
“NO” used to mean “not Alabama,” when blue-chip recruits would shy away from non-traditional programs. Now, it means “National Outreach.” Now, it means “No limits.” And now, Alabama Women’s Basketball is coast to coast — with no signs of slowing down.
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