This offseason has not been a slam-dunk for Nate Oats and Alabama basketball. The Crimson Tide lost a host of veterans like Mark Sears, who had exhausted collegiate eligibility. Alabama then saw key role players like Mo Dioubate, Jarin Stevenson, and Derrion Reid leave via the Transfer Portal.
Oats and the Tide have struck out on some of their top targets in the portal, too. It started with Tuscaloosa native Adrian Wooley choosing Louisville over Alabama. The Tide also missed out on Corey Chest, among others. Now, Alabama looks to be on the verge of missing out on perhaps its top remaining target.
According to reports, Washington State transfer Cedric Coward is on an official visit to Duke and is now leaning toward the Blue Devils:
At one point, reports indicated that Alabama led for the coveted transfer guard. His recruitment has been tight-lipped. Reports have swung back and forth on whether he would visit both schools or just one. It sounds more and more like his only visit is going to be to Durham, and Oats will have to go back to the drawing board as he looks to fill out the final three open roster spots.
What's next for Nate Oats and Alabama if they miss on Cedric Coward
Alabama's roster currently sits at 10 players, and looks like this:
Guards: Aden Holloway, Jalil Bethea, Latrell Wrightsell, Davion Hannah
Wings: Houston Mallette, Amari Allen
Fowards: Taylor Bol Bowen, London Jemison
Bigs: Aiden Sherrell, Noah Williamson
The Transfer Portal hasn't been a total miss for the Crimson Tide. They've added three talented players in Jalil Bethea (a former Top 10 recruit), Taylor Bol Bowen, and Patriot League Player of the Year Noah Williamson.
But Alabama still has some obvious needs, perhaps none bigger than on the wing and at lead guard.
With Coward looking likely to pick Duke, my guess is that Alabama will circle back to former Tide wing Rylan Griffen. Griffen was in Tuscaloosa on a visit over the weekend.
Alabama has also recently hosted Tarleton State transfer forward Keitenn Bristow on a visit. Bristow is seen as more of a project and eventually a replacement for Stevenson.
Alabama is likely to leave one spot open in hopes that Labaron Philon ultimately returns to school. He's currently testing the NBA Draft waters. If Philon ends up returning to Tuscaloosa, it would completely shift the narrative of this offseason and ensure the Crimson Tide as a legitimate SEC contender in 2025-26.