Alabama Basketball: Latest on transfer movement, out and in

When it was learned on Wednesday, Alabama basketball freshman, Jusaun Holt had entered the Transfer Portal, it appeared Nate Oats had one open slot. In reality, the number is expected to be three open slots.

As of yet, neither Jaden Shackelford nor JD Davison has announced they are leaving. When they do, and there is little doubt they will, Oats will have three slots to fill.

A half-dozen player names have been circulating in recent days. Princeton, transfer guard, Jaelin Llewellyn visited Tuscaloosa for a couple of days and Alabama basketball insiders say there is strong interest on both sides.

Another discussed option is Illinois State guard, Antonio Reeves. Reeves is a veteran, after three seasons with the Redbirds, during which he started 60 games. Reeves was more of a penetrator and distributor for Illinois State. Additionally, he made 39% of his 195, three-point attempts.

Llewellyn shot even fewer threes at Princeton last season. He shot 38.6% on 166 attempts. He too has three years of experience and started all of the Tigers’ 55 games over the last two seasons.

Neither player has impressive career accuracy shooting threes.

Alabama Basketball Needs Another Guard

Alabama basketball fans realize the entire burden of being a lead guard next season might be too much for super freshman Jaden Bradley. The Nate Oats offense relies on multiple ball handlers, rather than a traditional point guard, so Bradley will have help. But another guy, with point guard skills, is needed. Llewellyn or Reeves could fill that need, but there is another possibility that would be even better.

That player is Ohio transfer, Mark Sears. Sears is from Muscle Shoals, AL and has played two seasons for the Ohio Bobcats. In the 2021-22 season, Sears started all 35 of Ohio’s games. He just recently entered the Portal, but he has been on the Crimson Tide radar longer. This past season, while scoring 688 points, Sears hit 40.8% outside the arc and 88.5% at the foul line. One report stated Sears put up 15,000 3-pt attempts over the summer to improve his long-range accuracy. Playing in Baton Rouge and Lexington this past season, his new accuracy failed him, going a combined 2-for-8. Sears led Ohio at 19.7 points per game, but his rebounding, assists and steals proved he is more than just a shooter.

At 6’1″, he is the smallest of the trio of guards but that did not prevent him from averaging six rebounds per game. Sears will have the pick of numerous top programs, but a few Crimson Tide insiders have carefully suggested Nate Oats has the inside track.

If Oats can land Sears, the Tide coach will not be finished rebuilding the roster. Can the Tide provide playing time for two more guards? We’ll have to wait and see.