North Carolina's decision to fire head coach Hubert Davis could prove to be fruitful for Alabama.
While Nate Oats is reportedly not at the top of the UNC wish list, perhaps the top commitment in the Tar Heels' 2026 recruiting class will be at the top of Oats' wishlist for the Crimson Tide.
5-star Dylan Mingo, a combo guard out of New York, committed to UNC a month ago, but remains unsigned. Following the Davis move, it wouldn't be surprising to see Mingo reopen his recruitment and explore his options while the Heels are coachless.
And after Alabama recently missed out on 5-star Caleb Holt, Mingo could serve as one heck of a consolation prize for the Crimson Tide.
The history is there, too. Mingo took an official visit to Tuscaloosa back in the fall and was once one of Alabama's top targets in the 2026 class. Alabama didn't end up in his final group, but that could have been simply because Oats and company put their eggs in the Holt basket. Now that he's off to Arizona, Oats would be smart to divert those resources and make a push for Mingo.
Nate Oats should go all-in to pull 5-star Dylan Mingo away from North Carolina
Alabama has a need in the backcourt for next season with Labaron Philon likely leaving for the NBA Draft, Latrell Wrightsell exhausting his eligibility, and the uncertainty surrounding Aden Holloway's basketball future after his recent arrest.
Mingo could see that uncertainty - and Alabama's fun, up-tempo offense - and jump at the opportunity to make his way to Tuscaloosa amid the doubt in Chapel Hill.
The only issue with Mingo is that he's not much of a shooter at this point, converting just 23% of his attempts on the EYBL circuit, but Oats has recruited guys in the past with imperfect jumpers, most notably Jaden Bradley, who just won the Big 12 Player of the Year as a senior at Arizona.
If Alabama can surround Mingo with shooters, his inability to shoot at this stage of his career wouldn't be nearly as big a concern, but his ability to beat opponents off the dribble, along with his size and craftiness as a defender, could make him an excellent fit in Tuscaloosa. His NBA future might depend on his ability to develop as a shooter, and no coach in the country will pump him full of more confidence than Oats.
Mingo will have a ton of options if he decides to reopen his recruitment, but Oats and Preston Murphy would be wise to make a push.