Basketball recruiting for the 2026 class is just now really getting going, with the majority of the elite prospects in the class yet to make a decision on where they will attend college.
Nate Oats has consistently proven to be able to sign high-level prospects from both the high school ranks and the Transfer Portal. He has the Crimson Tide involved with some of the top recruits in the 2026 class.
One of them is 5-star Jaxon Richardson, the son of former NBA All-Star Jason Richardson, and the brother of projected NBA lottery pick Jase Richardson. According to Alabama's NIL collective, Yea-Alabama, Richardson will take an official visit to Tuscaloosa on September 12th:
Jaxon Richardson, a 6-foot-6 SF, is taking his official visit to @AlabamaMBB on Sept. 13. He previously visited in February. pic.twitter.com/bcLYcKoaf3
— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) June 9, 2025
Richardson is a 6-foot-6 wing and rated as a 5-star prospect in the 247 composite.
Richardson is obviously a Michigan State legacy recruit with his father and older brother playing for the Spartans. But as of now, Richardson holds 21 offers according to 247, but Michigan State isn't one of them.
Nate Oats will look to correct the mistake he made in the recruitment of Jace Richardson
Alabama was heavily involved in the recruitment of Jase Richardson in last year's cycle. At one point, the Crimson Tide was even viewed as the favorite, though he was always going to be a difficult pull as a Spartan legacy recruit.
Jason Richardson recently joined a podcast where he talked about the fatal mistake Oats and the Tide made in the home stretch of his recruitment process. Oats and company had to reschedule a visit Jace had scheduled in Tuscaloosa, which ultimately allowed him to attend one of the premier recruiting events in East Lansing. That was the beginning of the end for Alabama in his recruitment process.
Jase Richardson went on to an outstanding freshman season, averaging 12.1 points per game and shooting 41% from three. He is ranked as the No. 20 overall prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony.
While they haven't gotten involved yet, it seems like a near certainy that Michigan State will eventually offer the legacy recruit. He's one of the top prospects in the 2026 class and has obvious ties to the university.
His length and ability as a shooter is attractive to every program, but it's obvious he would be intrigued by playing in Oats's wide-open offensive system.
It remains to be seen whether he will be as good of a prospect as his brother, but Oats has a chance for a mulligan to land one of Jason Richardson's sons.