A month after coming up short against Duke in the Elite Eight, Nate Oats and Alabama basketball lost another battle against Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils.
Washington State transfer guard Cedric Coward, who had narrowed his list to Alabama and Duke, committed to the Blue Devils on Monday while on a visit in Durham.
NEWS: Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, one of the top guards in the portal, has committed to Duke, he announced.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 28, 2025
The 6-6 senior averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists this season in only six games played due to injury.https://t.co/OMeNKNUV1C pic.twitter.com/P5NeKosxXp
Coward, a 6-foot-6 guard/wing, transferred to Washington State from Eastern Washington last season. He put up an impressive stat line that included over 17 points per game, but was limited to just seven games due an injury. He is currently going through the NBA Draft process as well so there is no guarantee that he ever makes it to Duke.
Coward was a priority target for Oats and Alabama. The Transfer Portal has been frustrating in recent weeks for Alabama fans. They landed three early commitments from Noah Williamson, Taylor Bol Bowen, and Jalil Bethea. Since then, however, it's been some swings and misses and defections.
Alabama lost Mo Dioubate, Jarin Stevenson, and Derrion Reid to the portal to go along with the expected departure of Naas Cunningham.
Where does Alabama turn in the Transfer Portal after losing out on Cedric Coward?
I would expect in the coming days for Alabama to land a commitment from a familiar face. Coward's decision to go to Duke opens up a roster spot for former Crimson Tide guard Rylan Griffen, who spent two seasons in Tuscaloosa before transferring to Kansas last season. Griffen was on a visit to Alabama over the weekend.
Even if the Crimson Tide ultimately brings Griffen back into the fold, there's still two roster spots available. Ideally, Alabama will fill one of them with Labaron Philon. Philon is going through the NBA Draft process, but is open to a return to Tuscaloosa depending on the feedback he receives.
Alabama also recently hosted Tarleton State transfer forward Keitenn Bristow, who was the freshman of the year in the WAC this past season. Bristow wouldn't be a splashy pick-up, but he's the type of role player Alabama is looking to replace after losing guys like Stevenson and Reid.
Bristow averaged over 11 points per game with the Texans and shot 32.8% from three.
Outside of those guys, it's been quiet on the portal front for Oats and company. That has been mostly intentional, however, so it wouldn't be a surprise if a wildcard emerges over the coming weeks.