Technically, Alabama basketball has a full 15-man roster for the 2026-27 season. Nate Oats landed an elite recruiting class, had some major roster retention wins, and made some splashes in the Transfer Portal.
The biggest priority for Oats this offseason was improving in the frontcourt. Alabama landed three big men in the portal this offseason to solidify it, with Brandon Garrison (Kentucky), Jamarion Davis-Fleming (Mississippi State), and Drew Fielder (Boise State) joining the roster.
Oats may not be done.
A Colorado judge granted a preliminary injunction to outgoing seniors from the class of 2022, allowing them all a fifth year of eligibility. And while Alabama has a full roster, there is a belief that the injunction included a temporary suspension of roster limits for the 2022 class. If not, there aren't a ton of teams out there with open scholarships anymore. This is a way to give those players options.
One of those players is former Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler, who immediately became one of the top available prospects. Jon Rothstein quickly reported that Kohler had received interest from BYU, Kansas, and Kentucky, but it sounds like Oats and Alabama are at least kicking the tires, according to Kohler's father:
Chatting more on Monday.
— Jeff Kohler (@tradingaddicts) August 2, 2026
Alabama has reached out to former Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler
There's a reason Kohler is generating such significant interest. He was terrific for the Spartans last season, averaging 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He also did excellent work stretching the floor, knocking down 38.9% of his three-pointers on 149 attempts.
Kohler is an excellent rebounder, putting up a ridiculous 25.0% defensive rebounding rate a season ago.
Alabama already has arguably the deepest frontcourt of the Oats era. Along with the three portal additions, the Crimson Tide retained Keitenn Bristow and Collins Onyejiaka, accompanied by the late addition of Canadian big TJ St. Louis in the 2026 recruiting class.
Kohler is certainly not a need, but it would be irresponsible of Oats, who is constantly looking to make his roster better, not to kick the tires on a player of his caliber. That doesn't mean his addition is likely, though.
In fact, I'd call it a significant long shot. The three teams Rothstein mentioned have bigger needs and more money to spend to try to fill those needs. Alabama has likely already invested the majority of the money they are comfortable investing in this roster.
If Kohler wants to play in this system that badly and is willing to come at a significant discount, then maybe the Crimson Tide has a chance. It doesn't feel likely.
Oats is doing his due diligence as he always does, but expect Kohler to end up elsewhere, assuming the NCAA doesn't win in their fight back against these injunctions.
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