As difficult as it is for fans, patience is necessary when it comes to the Transfer Portal. Sometimes that patience can really pay off.
While Alabama fans have been clamoring for more activity in the Transfer Portal from Nate Oats, the window is still open for another week for players to enter. Patience is a virtue, and that patience could pay off for Oats with an elite target.
On Monday, CAA Player of the Year Cruz Davis, a 6-foot-3 guard who Alabama faced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, entered the portal:
NEWS: Hofstra guard Cruz Davis, the CAA Player of the Year, plans to enter the @TransferPortal, he told @On3.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) April 13, 2026
The 6-3 junior averaged 20.1 points and 4.7 assists per game this season while shooting 40% from three. Major portal entry. https://t.co/P2CLLLO2iq pic.twitter.com/ysLCEI1Oct
Davis is an elite bucket-getter who averaged over 20 points per game and shot 40% from three on nearly six attempts per game. That comes a season after he shot 38.8% on 4.6 attempts per game. He's no one-hit wonder.
Davis began his career at Iona before transferring to St. John's with Rick Pitino and then joining Speedy Claxton and Hofstra for the past two seasons.
Cruz Davis could be a perfect fit for Alabama's offensive system
Oats has had success in the past with a player developed by Claxton at Hofstra. Former Alabama guard Aaron Estrada, who helped lead the Crimson Tide to the program's first Final Four, played two seasons for Claxton before spending a year with Alabama.
The transfer worked out well for Estrada, and it could work out even better for Davis.
Alabama's system puts guards in positions to thrive, and Davis' ability as a shooter would be a perfect fit in Tuscaloosa.
Davis would need to adjust to a major increase in tempo at Alabama. The Crimson Tide plays one of the nation's fastest tempos (5th per KenPom), while the Pride played one of the slowest (318th). He has the skillset to do so, however.
Oats has a lot of options to work through as Alabama looks to add a lead guard to replace Labaron Philon, which is a need regardless of what happens with Aden Holloway. Philon averaged 22 points per game as a sophomore for the Crimson Tide, and he leaves a major void on his way to the NBA.
Davis could be the one to fill it.