Alabama Basketball Help Is On The Way: Preview Next Season’s New Players

Nov 11, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson reacts to his teams play against Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson reacts to his teams play against Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 11, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) goes for a rebound along with Alabama Crimson Tide guard Dazon Ingram (12) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) goes for a rebound along with Alabama Crimson Tide guard Dazon Ingram (12) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Galin Smith – Center – 6′ 9″, 225 lbs. – Freshman – Clinton, MS

247 Sports Composite 3-Star

247 Sports rated as the No. 2 ranked player in the state of Mississippi and the No. 21 center in the nation.

Smith had fifteen offers, including Ole Miss, SMU, Mississippi State, Cincinnati, LSU, and UAB.

A couple of reports state Smith is up to 6′ 10″ and working hard to add weight before he gets to Alabama. Not unlike Herb Jones, Smith will need weight to succeed in the SEC. Even more than Jones, Smith will need to add bulk and muscle to battle inside the paint.

Smith did not begin seriously playing basketball until he was 14. If there is a project in this signing class, perhaps it is Galin Smith. But being someone with undeveloped potential does not mean a lack of talent.

Let’s take a look at this video profile of Galin Smith:

How much Galin Smith plays in 2017-18 may be determined by how many guards and wings Avery Johnson decides to use. Next season, Dont’a Hall is expected to be the Tide’s starting center. Alex Reese will certainly fit into a small line-up that utilizes a motion offense. Smith may end up becoming more of a future option at center for the Tide.

The reason Smith may not see much action as a freshman is because the Tide has another new center option besides Hall.