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Alabama Basketball: Avery picks up top 2018 PG Jared Butler

By Ronald Evans

EUGENE, OR - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Avery Johnson of the Alabama Crimson Tide signals to his bench during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena on December 11, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Avery Johnson of the Alabama Crimson Tide signals to his bench during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena on December 11, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Avery Johnson pulled in his top PG prospect in the 2018 signing class. 4-Star Jared Butler picked Alabama basketball over Virginia and other top schools.

The College basketball early signing period is not until November 8th, but Alabama basketball has gained a commitment from a 4-Star, Top 100 PG. Jared Butler of Reserve, LA announced his intent to roll with Avery Johnson and the Tide.

Butler was the 2018 PG Avery made his top priority. The 6-foot-2, 180 pound, Butler is rated as the No. 15 PG in the nation in the 247Sports Composite. Butler had offers from Virginia, Baylor, Wichita State, USC, Texas and others.

Other Priority Targets

Alabama basketball is expected to sign three players in the 2018 recruiting class. A fourth player might be added by making Avery Johnson Jr. a non-scholarship player next season. The Crimson Tide already has a new player for next season. Combo guard Tevin Mack is sitting out this season after transferring from Texas.

Point guard, shooting guard and small forward are positions of need in the 2018 recruiting class. NBA Draft experts almost universally predict Collin Sexton will become a Top Ten pick in next year’s draft. With that high probability, bringing in a top 2018 PG was essential to Alabama basketball.

Avery Johnson continues to pursue top players nationally for the 2018 and 2019 signing classes. The most probable prospect to follow Butler in committing to the Tide is 6-foot-9 center, Javian Fleming. Two weeks ago, Fleming announced he would choose between Alabama basketball and Georgetown.

Fleming is not as well known as most of the other Tide prospects. His offensive game needs additional development and that has held his rating to a 3-Star. Fleming is a big-body player, respected for rebounding and defense, skills the Tide sorely needs. Fleming has 22 offers, including Iowa State, Clemson, Tennessee, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, TCU and LSU.

The other 2018 recruit Alabama basketball is in a strong position with is Robert Woodard. Woodard is a 6-foot-6, 220 pound, small forward. He is not expected to make a decision until January. Like Fleming, Woddard is from Mississippi and the two are friends.

Avery Johnson offered Woodard two years ago and the young man has visited Tuscaloosa multiple times. Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Memphis are also recruiting him hard. He also has offers from Georgia, Iowa State, Tennessee, FSU, LSU and Ole Miss.

2019 Big Names to Watch

Alabama basketball has several more very good options if Fleming and Woodard decide to go elsewhere. 2019 will be an even bigger recruiting cycle for the Tide. 5-Star, in-state prospect Trendon Watford is at the top of the Tide list.

The 6-foot-8 Watford is rated as the No. 2 SF in the nation. Kansas and Indiana have made Watford a priority as well. Trendon’s brother, Christian played at Indiana.

Another 2019 5-Star, James Wiseman recently visited Tuscaloosa. Wiseman is the No. 2 ranked PF in the 2019 class. Alabama basketball is believed to be in very good position with 4-Star PG, Kira Lewis.

Next: Check out other top 2018 B-Ball prospects

The Alabama basketball season kicks off on November 6th with an exhibition game against Alabama-Huntsville. The first regular season game is against Memphis, November 10th in Annapolis, MD.

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