Alabama Basketball: Nate Oats close to a 5-Star boost

In the next few days, Alabama Basketball and Nate Oats could gain an elite signing. The Crimson Tide is a finalist for 5-Star, power forward, Jarin Stevenson. Stevenson is near the top of every ranking list for 2024 class power forwards.

Unlike many elite 2024 recruits, Stevenson may need to make a decision soon. That is because he and his family are seriously considering a reclassification to the 2023 class. Every college basketball program’s players report to campus in June.

Stevenson has made official visits to Georgetown, Missouri, Virginia, and most recently to Alabama. It is anticipated he will also visit North Carolina before making a decision. Stevenson is from Pittsboro, NC.

Unlike 247Sports, On3 rates Stevenson as a 4-Star, but ranks him as the No. 3 power forward in the 2024 class. Alabama Basketball is also actively recruiting No. 4 on the On3 power forward list, 6’11”, Aiden Sherrell. Current projections have Alabama and Michigan State as the leaders for Sherrell. There is no timeline for his decision since he is not expected to reclassify to the 2023 class.

Stevenson is a near-perfect fit to step into Noah Clowney’s role from last season.

Alabama basketball fans are optimistic about Stevenson, despite the home-state advantage held by the North Carolina Tar Heels. One reason for the optimism is a recently canceled recruiting visit. Papa Kante, who decommitted from Michigan is a top big man in the 2023 class. He was scheduled to be in Tuscaloosa soon for an official visit. The rumor is Alabama and not Kante decided to cancel the visit. A reason for that could be Alabama knows Stevenson will reclassify and feels very confident in landing him.

In a recent conversation with a Virginia-themed site, Stevenson’s father explained how he and his son are rating programs.

"I think Jarin has a good base to build upon, so the school we pick has to be a school that develops the guys and makes them better. Has to be a good player-development program.…  it has to be a coach that we trust that’s going to push him and give him freedom, just to be able to show some of the things he can do. That’s a big factor."

The Nate Oats’ system of play particularly gives power forwards considerable freedom. The Tar Heels’ home-state advantage for Jarin may be overshadowed by the college and soon-to-be NBA success of Noah Clowney.

Nate Oats is not looking at bigs because of losing Charles Bediako. Bediako and Mark Sears did well in a recent G League combine, but neither earned an invite to the NBA Combine. Both are expected back for next season.