Alabama Basketball: Reasons for optimism in 2023-24

Alabama Basketball enjoyed its best season in school history in 2022-23. Coach Nate Oats could have a big job in front of him as he and the Crimson Tide prepare for an encore performance next winter. Should Bama fans be optimistic or worried about the coming season?

There are reasons for both, but the bottom line is that the program is in good hands. Oats is far from reaching the status of Nick Saban, but after winning two conference championships in three years with completely different rosters, he has done enough to earn the trust of fans.

Alabama Basketball: Three reasons for optimism

Veteran guard play

Bama hoops welcomes in two veteran transfer guards in Aaron Estrada and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Both hail from the mid-major ranks, with Estrada transferring from Hofstra and Wrightsell Jr. coming in from Cal State Fullerton.

While they have yet to prove themselves at an SEC level, both players are very experienced. Estrada has 77 career starts and Wrightsell Jr. has 57 starts to his name.

The elephant in the room is Bama’s starting backcourt from this past season, which is very experienced in its own right and could return. Mark Sears and Jahvon Quinerly are both exploring professional options at the moment, but have left open the option to return to school.

Sears started all 37 games for the Crimson Tide last season and has 77 career starts dating back to his time at Ohio. Quinerly started just six games last year as he returned from an ACL injury, but he has 40 career starts and has played in over 120 career games.

Charles Bediako’s growth

Alabama Basketball fans are hoping to hear an announcement of Charles Bediako’s return. Bediako is currently testing the NBA Draft waters, recently received an invite to the G-League Elite Camp, but is expected to eventually return to Tuscaloosa.

The 7-footer is highly experienced, with 67 starts under his belt through two seasons at Alabama. The Crimson Tide is largely banking on his return, as it has just one other true center on the roster in Nick Pringle.

If Bediako does come back, he will be one of the most important players on the team. His stats don’t jump off the page (6.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks per game), but Bediako’s impact goes far beyond the stat sheet. He stresses opponents at both ends of the floor, ensuring that Alabama gets easy shots and its opponents do not.

As a true sophomore, he was exceptional around the rim both offensively and defensively. He is the perfect center for Nate Oats’ system, and has flourished in combination with the elite passers Oats always manages to put on the court.

Charles Bediako exhibited a lot of growth from year one to year two. If he comes back to Tuscaloosa and makes a similar jump, he will anchor the Alabama defense as one of the SEC’s best big men.

Aaron Estrada’s scoring upside

It may be too early to say, but I think Alabama Basketball struck gold in transfer guard Aaron Estrada. Estrada is one of the nation’s most complete guards, and he excels at creating his own shot. Though he spent the last two years dominating the CAA, I believe his skill set translates seamlessly to the SEC.

With his ball-handling skills and ability to create separation as a 6’4” high-level shot-maker, Estrada should continue to score with ease. He will be even more difficult to stop when surrounded by other talented scorers at Alabama.

No one player is going to fill the void left behind by Brandon Miller, who provided rebounding, defense, and emotional leadership in addition to his 19 points per game. However, Aaron Estrada is capable of picking up the scoring slack on the wing.

I expect him to be a household name in college hoops by next March.