re: Tide Hoops | 31-6 (16-2)

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Alabama freshman Davin Cosby discusses early start with Crimson Tide


Davin Cosby should be preparing for his high school prom. Instead, the Alabama guard is reflecting on his experience in a different big dance.

Cosby, a four-star guard from Richmond, Virginia, was originally scheduled to be a part of Alabama’s 2023 class but reclassified to join the Crimson Tide in January. While he didn’t see the court during his redshirt season, the experience gave him a front-row seat to Alabama’s run in the NCAA Tournament as well as a headstart in the Crimson Tide’s program.

“It’s been a great experience since Day 1 when I came in,” Cosby said. “Being around this group of guys, they took me in like a brother. Now they’re all my brothers. We’ve got a great bond with just me being here for two or there months.

“It’s a blessing to be here. It’s a great experience just to see what the culture is like and be ready for next year.”

Cosby was rated as the No. 95 player in the 2022 class and chose Alabama over offers from LSU, North Carolina State, Tennessee and Virginia, among others. The 6-foot-5, 193-pound wing hangs his hat on his shooting ability, offering a smooth stroke that saw him average 23.6 points per game during his final season with Word of God Christian Academy in Raliegh, North Carolina.

While Alabama fans have yet to witness those skills in crimson, Cosby’s new teammates can’t stop gushing about his potential on the court.

“He’s very mature,” Alabama guard Jaden Bradley said last week. “If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t know he’s supposed to still be in high school. He definitely brings something to the floor that other people don’t. He’s a great shooter, a big physical wing with size who can play defense. He’s learning from some of the best players in college basketball. He’s going to be special.”

Jahvon Quinerly seconded those remarks, stating that Cosby brings a “unique skill set” while stating he’s been a pleasure to be around over the past few months.

Of course, parachuting into one of the nation’s top programs from the high school level didn’t come without a few growing pains.

“I remember his first week of guarding me, I don’t think he stopped me,” Alabama forward Brandon Miller said last week. “He took on the challenge every day in practice of just trying to shut me down. He’s taken on that challenge with everybody, really just trying to go out there and compete and make everybody else better.”

Like most, Cosby still struggles to corral Miller during practices. However, he’s picked up a few things from his time with the SEC Player of the Year.

Miller has been influential in Cosby’s early growth, taking the freshman to events around campus in an attempt to get him acclimated quickly to the level. The two sit next to each other in the locker room, and Cosby was often seen shadowing Miller when the star forward went through interviews.

“That’s my brother,” Cosby said. “That’s a great guy. He took me under his wing. When I got here, he was with me on my visit the whole way. The biggest thing I’ve learned from him is just keeping your confidence. That’s one thing that he had. He never let anybody throw him off his game. He kept his own mind and made sure he was confident in every game that he played.”

Throughout Alabama’s run in the tournament, Miller made sure to praise Cosby, stating he was going to be a big part of the Crimson Tide’s plans. Cosby will be one of five freshmen on next year’s team as Alabama’s four-man 2023 class is set to arrive over the summer. The incoming haul is set to include four-star forwards Sam Walters and Mouhamed Dioubate as well as four-star guard Kris Parker and three-star guard R.J. Johnson.

Along with adding more confidence to his game, Cosby said the biggest thing he’s learned from his time with the Crimson Tide has been leadership. Sponging off the guidance from Miller and Quinerly, the freshman said he’s excited to pass down that support to his new teammates when they arrive on campus.

“I’ve learned a lot about stepping up, talking on the floor, talking teammates up when they need it,” Cosby said. “We’re going to have four freshmen, so I’ve got to make sure the guys are ready, including me. I’ve got to be a great leader and bring the same culture they brought this year.

“Whatever team I’ve been on, I’ve been the leader. That’s something that’s big for me. I feel like I always want to be able to lead the team so we can win. I’ve always had a winning culture, so everything I do I take on leadership.”

Cosby also has a message to pass on about losing. After experiencing Alabama’s upset loss in the Sweet 16 firsthand over the weekend, the freshman says he’s going to use the setback as motivation over the coming months.

“This is a feeling that you never want to feel as a basketball player,” Cosby said. “I’m going to continue to feel this every time I’m working out, every time I’m in the gym. Every time I’m with the guys this summer, I’m going to let them know this isn’t a feeling you want to feel. I’m going to make sure we get the work in to make sure we’re ready for this moment next year.”

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What a gut punch man

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But man, what a season. This team still brought us a lot of joy. Good days are ahead.

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"Favorite story of the entire search is when I got a call from Juwan Howard. He called and said 'yall need to hire Coach Bryan.' I asked why and he said 'we have recruited 4 of the same guys the last few years and he's kicked my tail every time.'"

- An Ark St Athletics Official

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Bryan Hodgson on working with Nate Oats

"I fell in love with Nate's work ethic, the style of play. I thought I knew basketball when I got there [to Buffalo]. I learned there was a lot more to learn. He is one of the best coaches I've been around." (1/2)

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"I think that's evident from what he's done at both Alabama & Buffalo. I know he will continue to win at a high level. His knowledge of the game, approach with the young men, from the open door policy to being in the gym with them, and the culture he created is special." (2/2)

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Bryan Hodgson on building a roster

"In college athletics now, you know the phrase, you want to stay old. We just lost to San Diego State in the Sweet 16. I think the average age on that team has gotta be like 28 [room erupts in laughter]. If it's not, it felt like it." (1/3)

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"And we've got a bunch of talented Freshmen out there. I knew when we lost that game that they had a chance to win the next one and go to the Final Four. They're a veteran team. Look at FAU, that's a veteran team. It's a mix of transfers and high level high school kids." (2/3)

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"So I plan to do the same thing. I've done that everywhere I've been. We've had Juco players on every roster I've coached over the last 8 years. Even back in my D3 days, some of our best players were Juco transfers." (3/3)

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Hodgson on Alabama's off-court drama

"We let leadership handle that. Every decision that was made was very well thought out and intentional. From Greg Byrne to Nate Oats to everyone there, everything they did, I support. Our players did a great job rallying around each other."

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Bryan Hodgson on why all of Alabama's athletic programs have been successful

"It's the people. Everybody there works together and has the same goal - to win championships and represent the community in a positive way." (1/3)

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"One of the biggest things I learned, that some of the past staffs [at Alabama] may have considered a downfall, was using the success, energy, and enthusiasm of the football program to carry over into the other sports." (2/3)

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"I plan to do that here with Coach Jones and the Arkansas State football program. We want to create enthusiasm around the entire athletics department. Some basketball coaches come in and only focus on basketball. I look forward to working with him and picking his brain." (3/3)

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I remember Noah Gurley being our best player against SDSU

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