Nate Oats and his Alabama basketball staff have been hard at work over the last week since the Crimson Tide fell to Duke in the Elite Eight. On Monday, the Crimson Tide landed a commitment from 7-footer Noah Williamson, the Patriot League Player of the Year at Bucknell.
On Friday, Alabama landed a second commitment out of the Transfer Portal with Florida State forward Taylor Bol Bowen announcing his pledge to the Crimson Tide:
NEWS: Florida State transfer Taylor Bol Bowen has committed to Alabama, his agent Sam Permut of Roc Nation told ESPN. The 6-foot-10, former Top-100 recruit averaged 8 points, 5.2 rebounds per game, shooting 41% for 3 this season. pic.twitter.com/HxejoDufHM
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 4, 2025
Bowen is a 6-foot-10 stretch four who brings a lot of length and defensive versatility with him to Tuscaloosa. As a sophomore at Florida State this year, Bowen averaged 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 25 minutes per game. He shot 41.4% from three on 2.4 attempts per game. His ability to stretch the floor and be a switchable, versatile defender will make him a major asset to the Crimson Tide.
Bowen's block percentage of 7.1% ranked him 69th in the country this past season.
Oats is prioritizing defense as he looks to upgrade the Alabama roster. Bowen grades out as an excellent defender and put up a 3.2 defensive BPM (box plus-minus) for the Seminoles in 2024-25. For Alabama, he'll add some versatility on that end of the court that has been lacking. He can defend guards and forwards, and his length allows him to protect the rim.
Where the Alabama basketball roster stands after Taylor Bol Bowen's commitment
As of now, Alabama has a full roster. Alabama had four players who exhausted their eligibility in Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Chris Youngblood, and Cliff Omoruyi. Along with those players leaving, Naas Cunningham entered the Transfer Portal. As of now, Cunningham is the only player from the Tide's 24-25 roster to enter the portal.
Alabama signed a three-man recruiting class and has now landed two commitments out of the portal.
That's likely to change, however, as Alabama will undoubtedly have another player or two who choose to enter the portal. There's also still the possibility of Labaron Philon entering the NBA Draft.
The Crimson Tide is still recruiting several players. With a big and a stretch four signed, Oats and staff will likely turn their full attention to a big guard.
Alabama is off to a hot start in the Transfer Portal as they look to build the roster and take that next step toward the program's first National Championship.