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Alabama is set to host five-star prospects Troy Brown Jr. and Collin Sexton over the weekend.

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Since taking the reins for Alabama basketball in 2015, head coach Avery Johnson has brought about a new sense of hope and a new set of expectations in Tuscaloosa. His first season as the Crimson Tide skipper exceeded many people’s expectations, and his work in rebuilding this hoops program is far from finished.

The progress that has been made in just one year, however, has been remarkable. Johnson is reforming the basketball culture in a land where football reigns supreme.

On the weekend of September 9-11, Johnson will welcome two high-profile, five-star prospects in Collin Sexton and Troy Brown Jr. to Tuscaloosa for official visits.

Recruits of this stature even considering Alabama is something worth noting, but receiving official visits and being in legitimate contention to land both is a sure sign of the changing times. Just two years ago, the only five-star recruits visiting Tuscaloosa were in search of a trip to the College Football Playoff.

Johnson is in the midst of building something special.

Brown is the No. 11 overall recruit and No. 3 small forward in the 2017 class. Though he’s listed as a wing player, Brown is extremely versatile and is capable of operating in the 1- and 2-spots as well. He’s a fantastic passer that thrives in pick-and-roll situations. His speed and athleticism make him a lockdown defender with great length in the backcourt, and his high basketball IQ serves him well when the ball is in his hands.

Sexton, meanwhile, is the No. 9 overall recruit and No. 2 point guard in 2017. He’s one of the fastest recruits in his class and acts as more of a scoring guard than a true point guard. He uses a quick first step to blow past defenders and get to the rim, though he can also knock down shots from every spot on the floor. Sexton uses his agility to push the tempo at a rate that few defenders can keep up with.

And now, Johnson has the opportunity to take Alabama basketball to its next level. The addition of either Brown or Sexton, let alone both, would provide a major step in revitalizing Alabama basketball.

Regardless of these recruits’ decisions, though, one thing’s for sure: the tides are turning in Tuscaloosa.

Note: Scout rankings, ratings and photos used in this article.

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