Elite basketball talent is playing in Birmingham right now, and it will not be here forever.
From the nation’s top three-point shooter at Samford to rising stars at UAB and a G-League standout on the rise, this city is hosting players whose next stop could be bigger arenas and brighter lights.
- Jadin Booth – (Samford, Senior)
The nation’s leader in three-pointers is not playing in front of 20,000 fans. He is doing it in front of about 1,500 at the Pete Hanna Center.
And he is putting on a show.
After four Division II seasons in Florida, where he finished as the 10th leading scorer in school history, Booth has made a seamless jump to Division I.
He is averaging 20.9 points per game, ranking 17th nationally. He may not always start hot, but by the final buzzer he almost always finds his rhythm and the ball.
Earlier this season, head coach Lennie Acuff said if Booth had more eligibility, programs across the country would be calling.
Elite shooting travels. Whether it is the G League or overseas, his skill set translates.
If you have not seen the top three-point shooter in the country live, do not wait.
In his Division I debut against Tulane, Booth tied Samford’s single-game record for three-pointers — a mark originally set in 1995 — by knocking down nine from beyond the arc.
While Booth hasn’t publicly discussed his plans beyond this season, his performance has made one thing clear: he’ll have opportunities to play at the next level.
2. Chance Westry (UAB, Sophomore)
Chance Westry has become the anchor for UAB this season.
The former Auburn guard leads the Blazers in scoring at 15.3 points per game and also tops the team in assists at 4.9 per contest, impacting the game as both a scorer and facilitator.
His journey hasn’t been smooth. Injuries slowed his development early in his college career, but he appears to have found the right fit at UAB. Head coach Andy Kennedy recently called Westry one of the most underrated players in college basketball and said he has the potential to follow a development path similar to Yaxel Lendeborg, who is now thriving at Michigan.
Westry’s recent performances back up that praise.
He poured in 25 points against Temple while adding eight assists and three rebounds. He followed that with 23 points, five steals, six assists, and four rebounds at Memphis in one of UAB’s most impressive wins of the season.
Before the road matchup at NC State, Kennedy spoke about Westry’s progression, noting that injuries had delayed his growth and that patience would be key to his development. Since then, Westry has elevated his play, showing clear improvement and growing confidence as a leader.
If his upward trajectory continues, Westry has the ability to carry UAB down the stretch. With important home games approaching on March 1 and March 8, the Blazers are positioning themselves for a potential run in the American Conference.
3. Dylan Faulkner (Samford, Junior)
Junior forward Dylan Faulkner, a transfer from Lipscomb, has anchored Samford in the paint this season. He leads the team in rebounding at 8.4 boards per game and has established himself as one of the toughest matchups in the SoCon.
Faulkner’s physical style and relentless interior presence consistently pressure opposing defenses. He ranks 16th nationally in free throw attempts, just behind Auburn’s Keyshawn Hall, a testament to how often he forces defenders into difficult situations. Because most of his scoring comes at the rim, he also owns the 18th highest field goal percentage in the country.
His impact goes beyond efficiency. Faulkner has recorded 11 double doubles this season, providing Samford with steady production on both ends of the floor.
That performance has not gone unnoticed. When asked whether other programs have shown interest in Faulkner, head coach Lennie Acuff acknowledged the reality of today’s landscape.
“Some things behind the scenes that I probably can’t share,” Acuff said. “But just knowing people are already reaching out to him.”
If Samford wants to remain competitive next season, keeping Dylan Faulkner and building around him will be essential. In the SoCon, size wins, and Faulkner gives the Bulldogs a foundation to build on.
4. Trey Alexander (Two-Way, Pelicans)
Trey Alexander, the New Orleans Pelicans’ two-way guard, is putting together a dominant season. He is averaging 21.5 points and 7.2 assists per game, establishing himself as one of the premier guards in the G-League.
Alexander’s path is increasingly rare in today’s college basketball landscape. He spent his entire collegiate career at Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball from 2021 to 2024, helping lead the program to a Second Round appearance, an Elite Eight, and a Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament. His steady growth carried over to the pros, where he earned 2024-25 G League Player of the Year honors.
He continues to deliver in big moments. Most recently, Alexander knocked down a go ahead game winner with 0.3 seconds remaining against the Long Island Nets, further cementing his reputation as a closer.
There are only four chances left to watch Alexander and the Birmingham Squadron before the franchise relocates closer to New Orleans. The Squadron host the Maine Celtics on March 16 and 17, followed by matchups with the Windy City Bulls on March 22 and 24.
When the Bulls come to town, keep an eye on Mac McClung and Yuki Kawamura. Both bring major online followings and added intrigue if active.
If you have not seen Trey Alexander in person yet, the window is closing.
5. Evan Chatman (UAB, Junior)
Evan Chatman has been a driving force behind UAB’s success this season. His dominance on the glass has helped turn the Blazers into a legitimate rebounding team, and without him, that identity would look very different.
With KyeRon Lindsay-Martin sidelined, Chatman has raised his level even higher. He has taken on a larger role in the frontcourt, supplying toughness, scoring, and leadership when UAB has needed it most.
Over the last five games, Chatman has scored in double figures in every outing, including three games with 13 or more rebounds. His consistency and physical presence have made him one of the conference’s most dependable interior players.
Against Memphis on Sunday, he delivered a career performance with 22 points, a career high, along with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and three steals. It was a complete two way effort that underscored his value on both ends of the floor.
Chatman leads the UAB Blazers men’s basketball in rebounding at 8.9 per game and ranks 33rd nationally in total rebounds. Like Dylan Faulkner at Samford, he anchors his team on the glass and serves as a foundational piece moving forward.
Given his production and trajectory, Chatman is the type of player who will attract transfer portal interest, meaning UAB may have to work to retain one of its most valuable contributors.
Get out to a game before it is too late.
Leave a Reply