Miami guard, former Top 10 recruit Jalil Bethea reveals Transfer Portal destination

Jalil Bethea, a former Top 10 overall recruit in the 2024 recruiting class, has made up his mind on his destination for 2025 after entering the Transfer Portal following a disappointing freshman season at Miami.

Jim Larranaga's decision to retire one month into the college basketball season slowed Bethea's development and led to a lost season in Coral Gables.

Bethea entered the portal and ultimately announced a top four of Alabama, NC State, Miami, and Kansas State. Early on Saturday, Bethea revealed he would be taking official visits next week to both Alabama and NC State. Later in the day, Bethea announced that he would instead be announcing his decision on Sunday without taking visits.

Initial thoughts indicated a return to Miami seemed likely, but On3's Joe Tipton revealed a prediction late Saturday night in favor of the Crimson Tide. On Sunday, Bethea made it official by announcing he would be transferring to Alabama.

Bethea is the third Transfer Portal addition for the Crimson Tide since the season ended eight days ago against Duke in the Elite Eight. Alabama landed Bucknell's Noah Williamson, the Patriot League Player of the Year, on Monday. On Friday, the Tide added Florida State stretch-four Taylor Bol Bowen to the mix.

Bethea is the first guard to join the Crimson Tide, a position of need for Nate Oats and his team with Mark Sears and Chris Youngblood running out of eligibility. One of Alabama's biggest priorities this offseason is getting bigger at guard. That was a major weakness that the Blue Devils exposed last weekend.

Bethea fits that mold at a listed 6-foot-5. He's a combo guard who can handle the ball but will likely play more of an off-the-ball role for the Crimson Tide.

Bethea is a bit of a reclamation project, similar to what Aden Holloway was last year when he joined the Crimson Tide from rival Auburn. Bethea struggled as a freshman on a dumpster fire of a team at Miami. He averaged a little over seven points per game and shot 36.8% from the field.

But Bethea is an extremely talented player. He was ranked as the No. 7 overall recruit in the 2024 class per the 247 composite rankings. He was billed as a scoring guard with a good shooting stroke in high school. Oats and Alabama were in his final four last year before he announced his commitment to Miami. That existing relationship paid off when Bethea entered the portal.

With Bethea on board, Alabama's roster is currently full. They are still awaiting decisions from three players - Labaron Philon, Derrion Reid, and Jarin Stevenson. Aiden Sherrell, Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell, and Houston Mallette all announced their intentions to return to Tuscaloosa next season on Saturday.