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College basketball insider believes Alabama leads for top Transfer Portal target

Things have been quiet on the Transfer Portal front for Alabama basketball lately, at least in terms of commitments. That could be changing soon as a college basketball insider believes the Tide is setting the pace for one of the top players in the portal.
ByJohn Mitchell|
Nov 21, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars guard Cedric Coward (0) controls the ball against Eastern Washington Eagles guard Andrew Cook (9) in the first half at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Nov 21, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars guard Cedric Coward (0) controls the ball against Eastern Washington Eagles guard Andrew Cook (9) in the first half at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images | James Snook-Imagn Images

Alabama basketball has three open roster spots following the latest decision by Labaron Philon to enter the 2025 NBA Draft, reportedly without retaining his collegiate eligibility. Nate Oats and company are in need of a go-to guy offensively with Philon turning pro to go along with All-American Mark Sears exhausting his eligibility.

Things have been quiet on the Transfer Portal end for Alabama lately in terms of who they are targeting following the commitment of Miami (FL) guard Jalil Bethea a couple of weeks ago. Things appear to be heating up, and according to Jeff Goodman, Alabama is in good shape in the recruitment for one of the top available players in the portal:

Washington State transfer Cedric Coward - a 6-foot-6 wing- played in only six games last season for the Cougars before a rotator cuff injury sidelined him for the rest of the way. Prior to that, Coward has averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game with 56/40/84 shooting splits.

Coward transferred to Washington State last season after spending two seasons with Eastern Washington. Coward has shot 38% or better from three-point range in each of the last three seasons.

According to Joe Tipton on Tuesday, Coward narrowed his list of transfer destinations to five schools. Alabama is going head-to-head with some heavy-hitters for Coward:

The Crimson Tide is also competing with the NBA. Coward declared for the draft while maintaining his college eligibility. In Jonathan Givony's latest mock draft for ESPN, Coward was projected to land 55th overall. If his stock remains in that range, Coward would likely choose to return to school.

Alabama's current Transfer Portal needs

With Alabama's three roster spots, they would most likely be targeting a lead guard, a wing, and a hybrid big. A lead guard is priority one after losing Philon and Sears.

Coward is more of a wing than a lead guard, but he can handle the ball, too. Alabama could be comfortable with Aden Holloway as the point guard next season and a handful of players who are secondary ball handlers like Coward, Bethea, and Latrell Wrightsell.

Oats has made it a point to try and get bigger across the board. Coward fits that bill at 6-foot-6. A lack of size in the backcourt was an Achilles Heel for the Tide last season that reared its head against bigger teams like Duke in the Elite Eight and Florida in the regular season and SEC Tournament.

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