Chris Youngblood’s Impactful Journey and Rising Performance with Alabama Basketball
Chris Youngblood emerged as one of the standout acquisitions in Alabama basketball’s 2024 offseason, making waves through the transfer portal. The former USF standout was named Co-AAC Player of the Year the previous season, boasting an impressive average of 15.3 points per game with shooting splits of 46% from the field, 42% from beyond the arc, and 83% from the free-throw line.
Youngblood’s consistent shooting prowess, with over 40% accuracy from three-point range across three consecutive college basketball seasons, made him a prized addition to the Crimson Tide. His shooting skills seemed a perfect fit for Coach Nate Oats’ system. However, an ankle injury during the offseason hampered his initial integration and development within the team.
Making his debut for Alabama against Creighton on December 14th, Youngblood faced a challenging start. In his first six games, he only managed to score in double figures once and struggled with his three-point shooting, converting just 8 of 32 attempts (25%) and averaging 6.7 points per game. Nonetheless, in the following six games, Youngblood found his rhythm, scoring in double figures in four games, shooting 39.4% from three-point range (15-of-38), and boosting his average to 14.3 points per game.
Wednesday night in Starkville marked a significant turning point for Youngblood. He delivered an outstanding performance, shooting 7-of-10 from three-point range and scoring a season-high 23 points. Each of his points was crucial for Alabama’s narrow victory over Mississippi State. Youngblood’s timely shots, including clutch free throws in the game’s final moments, and his defensive efforts against Josh Hubbard were instrumental in securing the win.
What stood out most was Youngblood’s composure during high-pressure situations. He remained unfazed by the challenging environment, demonstrating readiness and poise—traits that are highly valued in a veteran player. His performance against the Bulldogs highlighted his caliber and potential.
“I think both sides of the ball, he’s starting to kind of exert his will, his demeanor, his competitiveness, and it’s good to see,” Coach Oats remarked about Youngblood after the game.
As Youngblood’s form improves at a critical juncture, he significantly elevates Alabama’s prospects. His proven shooting ability, combined with the talents of Mark Sears and Aden Holloway, equips the Crimson Tide with a trio of formidable outside shooters.
