On Tuesday, Alabama officially announced the signing of 4-star big man Collins Onyejiaka, a Top 100 recruit who reclassified into the 2025 class and will join the Crimson Tide this summer. Onyejiaka was a surprise commitment to Alabama back on June 20th as a player who wasn't even on anyone's radar.
Nate Oats and lead assistant Preston Murphy worked in the shadows to land Onyejiaka and shore up the Tide's frontcourt on the 2025-26 roster.
Welcome to #BlueCollarBasketball, Collins Onyejiaka!
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) July 8, 2025
The Big Man from Massachusetts is headed to Tuscaloosa! #RollTide pic.twitter.com/lrUmyx1X9K
Via a press release, Oats commented publicly for the first time about his newest big man:
“Collins is a physical and imposing big who possesses great length at 6’11” with a 7’2” wingspan," said Oats. "Collins not only plays above the rim, but he also will be able to provide vertical pressure on the rim and will be able to offer some additional rim protection. Not only is he one of the best players out of Massachusetts but he is also a proven winner, having just led The Newman School to a NEPSAC championship.”
Collins Onyejiaka brings a different style than Alabama's other big men
If you think Onyejiaka reclassed just to sit the bench his freshman season, I would think again. Alabama's new big man is likely to see at least some minutes in the Crimson Tide's frontcourt because he brings an element to the team it didn't already have.
Alabama's other two true centers on the roster - sophomore Aiden Sherrell and Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson - are more stretch-five types that don't have the same above-the-rim mentality that Onyejiaka plays with.
Sherrell and Williamson will get the bulk of the minutes, but there will be playing time available for the incoming freshman. His size, physicality, and potential rim protection will give Oats and the Tide a different look to throw at opponents.
You can never really have enough big men, and it's obvious by the way Oats has revamped the style of this year's roster that he knew some fundamental changes had to be made. Alabama was too small last season, and that cost them against some of the top teams in the country such as Florida and Duke.
The Gators, more so than anyone, had the ability last season to rotate 7-footers almost at will. Alabama won't have the same type of big men Todd Golden has, but size will not be a problem for Oats and his team next season.
Alabama got bigger at guard, wing, and in the frontcourt. Onyejiaka's late addition to the team will allow them to play various styles. This could be the most versatile team Oats has had during his time in Tuscaloosa.