In Memoriam – Bill Oliver
Former Alabama football player and coach Bill Oliver passed away today at 85 after a lengthy illness. Oliver was a member of the 1961 national championship team, and served as an assistant coach on four national title teams (1973, 1978, and 1979 under Paul “Bear” Bryant, and 1992 under Gene Stallings).
WNBA Draft
Alabama had a historic night at the 2025 WNBA Draft, with 3 Alabama players selected in the same draft for the first time in program history. Sarah Ashlee Barker led things off, as she was selected with the 9th overall pick in the draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. Barker becomes just the 3rd Alabama player to be selected in the first round of the draft (Tausha Mills was picked 2nd in 2000, and Jasmine Walker went 7th overall in 2021).
Aaliyah Nye heard her name called with the first pick of the second round (13th overall) by the Las Vegas Aces. Nye matches Shalonda Enis (13th in 1999) for the fourth-highest pick of an Alabama player in the history of the draft. Zaay Green completed the night, going to the Washington Mystics with the 7th pick of the third round (32nd overall).
Got our girl! 🤩 @SarahAshlee10 x #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/YhS3UWmkpT
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) April 15, 2025
🎲🌊@aaliyah_nye // #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/VfvFviFVxI
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) April 15, 2025
We'll see you in D.C., Zaay!!! pic.twitter.com/oXRqYt8P13
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) April 15, 2025
Other News
Labaron Philon declared his intentions to enter the 2025 NBA Draft. Philon, who just completed his freshman season at Alabama, is not expected to return to college.
Tyler Booker, Jihaad Campbell, and Jalen Milroe will attend the 2025 draft in person later this month, the NFL announced today.
Chris Youngblood will participate in this year’s Portsmouth Invitational, which gets underway next week in Portsmouth, Virginia. Alabama players who have played in recent Portsmouth Invitationals include Levi Randolph, Donta Hall, and Aaron Estrada.
Zaay Green realized her goal of being drafted into the WNBA. Her long and winding path to realize her goal is the story of hard work and perserverance.
Here’s a deep dive into what an NFL team will be getting when it drafts Jalen Milroe.
Bobby Lee Hurt and Cecil Hurt were among 12 inductees into the Huntsville – Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame this evening.
Scenes and Highlights
The moment we called @SarahAshlee10's name. #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/8AWCEuvDKJ
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) April 15, 2025
The moment. ✨@aaliyah_nye // #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/HOtPIdbNKC
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) April 15, 2025
𝙍𝙊𝙇𝙇 𝙏𝙄𝘿𝙀𝙀𝙀𝙀 🗣️@AlabamaWBB // #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/9PArwVf84a
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) April 15, 2025
Transactions
- Sarah Ashlee Barker – drafted in the first round (9th overall) of the WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.
- Aaliyah Nye – drafted in the second round (13th overall) of the WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces.
- Zaay Green – drafted in the third round (32nd overall) of the WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics.
Game Results
BASKETBALL
Maccabi Tel Aviv 80, Hapoel Gilboa Galil 73
Levi Randolph – 32 minutes, 8 points (1-3 2pg, 1-3 3pg, 3-5 FT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, +4.
Dinamo Bucuresti 86, Rapid Bucuresti 80.
Jimmie Taylor – 19 minutes, 5 points (2-2 FG, 1-5 FT), 4 rebounds, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, +0.
SOCCER
Rayadas de Monterrey 3, Gallos Blancos de Querétaro 1.
Merel Van Dongen – played full match; no stats.
Tanna Sánchez Carreto – subbed in at 78’; no stats.
