Alabama point guard Aden Holloway made his long-awaited return to Neville Arena on Saturday and was met by a chorus of boos from the Auburn student section. He is public enemy No. 1 on the Plains for a college basketball game between two top-10 programs that also happen to be in-state rivals.
It was not a warm welcome back to the place he called home last season.
Holloway, a true sophomore, ranked as a five-star prospect in the college basketball recruiting Class of 2023 and committed to play at Auburn over offers from Tennessee, Miami and Wake Forest, among others. However, the 20-year-old North Carolina-native spent only one year with the Tigers. He entered the transfer portal during the offseason and transferred across enemy lines to play for the Crimson Tide.
As could be expected, Holloway’s decision did not go over well with the fanbase he left behind. To leave Auburn is one thing. To leave Auburn for Alabama is another. That is considered traitorous. His name carries the same weight as Benedict Arnold on The Plains.
The boos will be loud for Aden Holloway today!
— Chris Rodgers 🦚 🇺🇸 (@rodgeau) March 8, 2025
📍Auburn University pic.twitter.com/1tyJOiF8HH
If Holloway’s decision was not spicy enough, both teams are really good this season. The Tigers are ranked No. 1 at 27-3. The Crimson Tide is ranked No. 7 at 23-7.
Auburn beat Alabama at Alabama on Feb. 15. Saturday’s regular season finale served as the rematch. It also served as Aden Holloway’s first time back in Neville Arena.
Aden Holloway walking into Neville Arena for the first time since transferring from Auburn @abc3340 pic.twitter.com/D1ntbSd2VX
— Chris McCulley (@ChrisMcCulleyTV) March 8, 2025
Head coach Nate Oats promised that he would be ready for the hostile environment.
Their fans are very energetic, very emotional. I don’t know what words you like to use to describe them. I think you guys know how their fans are. Some, I’m sure, they’ll be rooting for Aden to have a bad game and he’s gotta be mentally tough and just go in there and play basketball […]
It’s obviously gonna be a big game for everybody in our program. But him going back there, I’m sure their fans will be ready to see him and I think he’s a pretty mentally tough kid. He’ll be ready for the game.
— Nate Oats
And yet, there was no way for him to prepare for what was to come. The boos were just as loud as expected as soon as he stepped onto the court.
Aden Holloway, who transferred from Auburn, takes the court at Neville Arena to BOOs from the student section. pic.twitter.com/IK3sMUruhV
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) March 8, 2025
Auburn students made sure to let Holloway know that he was not welcome.
The early reception for Aden Holloway pic.twitter.com/mJ1cgg7YWL
— Luca Flores (@luca_at_lax) March 8, 2025
They booed every single one of his shots and cheered for every miss (of which there were few).
Aden Holloway is back in Neville & every time he misses a shot- The Jungle cheers pic.twitter.com/uuT59SMRaj
— Jojo Cavanagh (@CavanaghJojo) March 8, 2025
It was relentless.
Aden Holloway just came out to warm up. Auburn fans are cheering every time he misses a shot. Not a whole lot to cheer for thus far. pic.twitter.com/3y7JRaYYlF
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) March 8, 2025
Needless to say, Aden Holloway is no longer welcome at Neville Arena. The Jungle made sure to let him know!