Alabama Basketball: Tide 2020 class zooms to No. 15 with more moves ahead
By Ronald Evans
Alabama basketball coach, Nate Oats has the Crimson Tide up to No. 15 after a commitment by small forward, Darius Miles. Oats is not finished.
The Alabama basketball roster for the 2020-21 season is swelling. On paper, if Herbert Jones, as expected, returns, the 2020-21 class is full. If John Petty Jr. decides to return (not expected), the roster would be one over, with 14 scholarship players.
Nate Oats is still recruiting. Not just for future classes, Oats wants more in the 2020-21 class. Alabama basketball fans are on the verge of adopting a description used for Nick Saban. Nick (Nate) always makes the numbers work.
With the Tuesday addition to the 2020-21 commits of Darius Miles, The Crimson Tide has the No. 15 class, based on the 247Sports Composite. Almost as significant, the Crimson Tide has the fifth highest-rated class in the SEC, following Kentucky, Tennessee, LSU and Arkansas. With so many top coaches having come to the SEC in recent seasons, deficiencies in roster talent are punished.
Nate Oats might be finished adding freshmen, but transfers and possibly other JUCO players are in play. The two remaining 2020-21 roster weaknesses are an inside player and a lead guard who can spell Jahvon Quinnerly. Nate Oats has two guys in mind. At 6’9″, Yale transfer, Jordan Bruner can play inside or outside. It would be hard to find a ‘big’ as well-suited to Oats’ system as Bruner.
Bruner’s transfer choices are down to Alabama, Maryland and Baylor. Before committing to Yale in the 2016 class, Bruner had offers from Temple, Tennessee, Clemson and Georgia. Check out Bruner highlights from a Yale game.
The other player who will fill a Tide need is Ohio State transfer, lead guard, Luther Muhammed. He was a 4-Star recruit and will have two more seasons of eligibility remaining. Without a waiver, Luther would have to sit out the 2020-21 season. He is a close friend of the Tide’s Jahvon Quinnerly.
Assuming John Petty Jr. turns professional, adding Bruner and Muhammed would require exits by two current Crimson Tide players. After the season ended, Nate Oats was candid about the probability some current players may look for better fits at other programs. Nate Oats pledged he would help find options for those seeking a transfer.
dark. Next. LSU has no shame!
Alabama basketball fans might need to pump the brakes on Darius Miles being immediate help. He is long and lean and at just 180 pounds and will need to beef up. He might need a redshirt season.