With the big man market in college basketball exploding, it wasn't surprising when Alabama's Aiden Sherrell elected to enter the Transfer Portal. Disappointing? Yes. Surprising? No.
Sherrell was always going to stand to make more money on the open market after he blossomed as a sophomore with the Crimson Tide. Following Aiden Sherrell and Grant Nelson graduating, Sherrell went from a small role as a freshman to one of the best big men in the SEC as a sophomore.
Sherrell developed his offensive game and became one of the conference's best shot blockers. Alabama hoped to retain him for a third season, but he entered the portal and ultimately landed at Indiana for what was rumored to be over $3 million.
Sherrell spoke about his decision to transfer in a recent interview and denied that he left because of money.
"A lot of people outside think people make decisions over money. I never made a decision over money. If I was making a decision over money, I would have left [Alabama] my freshman year. Money never will be the driving force for me," Sherrell said in an interview with the SchuZ Show, via 247's Mike Rodak.
"I made a decision on what's gonna better me, help me become the best player I can be. Just going to Indiana, embracing this role that I have, which is a way bigger role than I had before -- it's just a great feeling, and I'm looking forward to overexceeding those expectations, for sure."
Aiden Sherrell denies he left Alabama for Indiana because of money
One thing is certain in these situations: if a player adamantly denies that they made a decision over money, you can bet that they made the decision over money.
Sherrell played a major role for Alabama as a sophomore as the team's starting center, and he was likely in line for an even bigger role on the offense as a junior with better conditioning. Sherrell struggled to play at Alabama's pace at times, which led to his 24 MPG average.
Indiana will play at a more plodding pace, and he'll certainly get some more opportunities with the ball in his hands as a back-to-the-basket option for the Hoosiers. Perhaps that will lead to better statistics, but it's not going to lead to more professional opportunities.
Nate Oats runs an NBA system at Alabama, and if Sherrell's ultimate goal is to get to the league, it's hard to imagine there's a better spot for him than Tuscaloosa. The reality is, however, that Sherrell likely lacks the functional athleticism to be a legitimate NBA player. He likely knows that, and hitting the Transfer Portal was his best opportunity to maximize his value while it is at its peak.
It won't be a surprise if he's back in the portal again after next season and looking to cash in on his last year of college eligibility.
And as good as Sherrell was for Alabama, Oats seems to have found a couple of guys - Kentucky's Brandon Garrison and Mississippi State's Jamarion Davis-Fleming - who will be better system fits with their rim running and athleticism.
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