Kristy Curry takes on SEC Media Days to talk new roster additions, building homecourt advantage
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Last season, Alabama spent almost the entire year inside the AP Top 25, reaching as high as No. 18 and grabbing a five-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
It was a new mark for the program under coach Kristy Curry, who is now entering her 13th season in Tuscaloosa.
And while the momentum continues to build under Curry, the Crimson Tide will have to replace a lot of production from that historic team as Aaliyah Nye and Sarah Ashlee Barker are now in the WNBA.
But Curry believes the standard has been set and she is encouraged by what the new team has shown to this point in the preseason. She spoke about the upcoming season Tuesday during the 2025 SEC Tip Off event.
Alabama women’s basketball
The Crimson Tide lost three starters from last year’s team including two-thirds of the team’s scoring. And that’s probably why Alabama did not get a single vote in the preseason AP Poll despite last year’s success.
But that doesn’t stop Curry and Co. from being excited about what comes next.
“We lost 67% of our scoring, 41% of our rebounding, and 61% of our assists on a top-25 offense and defense a year ago. But I’m so excited about what this team can become. Top-20 recruiting class, four freshmen, three transfers, eight returnees. Three of those that did not play a year ago due to injury are back. We are really excited about the potential and what this team can become.”
Kristy Curry
While the top three scorers are gone, Alabama does return Essence Cody and Karly Weathers, the next two highest scorings from last year’s team.
Cody, a McDonald’s All-American out of high school, scored a career-high 11.3 points per game last season and led the Tide with 6.3 rebounds per game. Now, she’s hoping to take the next step as a leader for Curry’s squad.
“All of last year’s players, they have helped me a lot. They taught me a lot. I’m just taking what they give me. They taught me just to be me. Don’t let anything, just allow my game to flow, just work through everybody. Trusting myself, be confident in what I do, and just love the game.”
Essence Cody
But it’s not just about the returning players as new faces will certainly take some of that pressure off Cody and Weathers.
One name to watch that’s familiar to fans here in Alabama is Ace Austin. The state’s first two-time Miss Basketball is set to begin her highly-anticipated college career.
“Ace Austin, a name to remember. She brings so much to our program. She is a dynamic, energetic, really can do a lot of things with the basketball in her hands. I think she’s going to have a phenomenal career and impact for us early.”
Kristy Curry
Some of the other new players expected to have a quick impact include:
“Our practices have been some of the most competitive we’ve had. I feel like especially in the post, it’s one of our deepest teams, forward and post spot. I think you’ll see us more inside than we have been a couple of years. We love to shoot the first open shot, and we will. I also feel we have a great post presence, the best group we’ve had there.
“It’s very competitive right now. Competition helps you elevate every single day as a person and as a player. We’re excited about that.”
Kristy Curry
Building a homecourt advantage
In recent years, the Alabama women’s team has moved their home games into Coleman Coliseum, leaving the confines of the historic Foster Auditorium.
Now, the next step is bringing more fans into the much bigger building to improve the atmosphere for those home games.
“I think it’s our job just to compete at a very high level and win ball games. Nothing brings people together more than winning so it is our job to compete together and win the games we need to win. Then shock some people when they come to our place. We have such a good environment at the University of Alabama like it’s a place where people just win and we have to continue that.”
Karly Weathers
Weathers said she loves playing games at Coleman but there is something unique about playing at Foster in a more intimate setting.
Curry echoed that sentiment, saying it’s the team’s job to continue building the support in Tuscaloosa which will relay to bigger crowds inside Coleman Coliseum.
“it’s definitely important… Our community isn’t the largest numbers, but they do support us. We have a phenomenal booster group. You’ve seen how we’ve grown our attendance and we’re going to continue to work at it. We hope our fan base continues to come out and support. We’re going to continue to give back, build relationships, never say no for any opportunity to grow that fan base.”
Kristy Curry
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