Alabama Basketball: Crimson Tide landing Derrion Reid is a breath of fresh air

The Alabama basketball program and Nate Oats have landed one of the best players in the country in Five-Star recruit Derrion Reid. Reid chose the Alabama Basketball program over Florida State and Georgia. Derrion Reid is the 17th ranked player in the 2024 recruiting class and is ranked the third power forward in the class.

The 6-7 Forward is dominant for Prolific Prep in Napa, CA a top program that's generated elite talent like Gary Trent Jr, Josh Jackson, Nimari Burnett, and loads of other top-tier college talent. Nate Oats is landing some of the top talents in this year's class landing commitments from four-star forwards Naas Cunningham and Aidan Sherrell. The Alabama Basketball program desperately needed a solid recruiting year as they rebuilt on the fly for this season via the transfer portal and it hasn't exactly worked out.

The biggest need now for Nate Oats and the Alabama Basketball program is a guard as the class is composed of three forwards and they'll most likely lose guards Mark Sears and Aaron Estrada as both are seniors having career years and may have the best chance of their careers to get drafted.

The players to watch are Point Guard Jaye Nash and less likely but, Point Guard Zoom Diallo. Nash is a three-star guard out of Powder Springs, GA. Nash has an offer to Alabama as well as several other Power Five programs. Nash would more than likely be a development player for Alabama Basketball compared to a one-and-done candidate in Zoom Diallo. The best case for the Tide landing Zoom Diallo would be his teammate Derrion Reid. The duo has played together at Prolific Prep and their chemistry could play a factor in Diallo's decision when he commits Tomorrow. Alabama is in the race for Diallo although it seems the USC Trojans are the front runner.

Alabama Basketball: Breath of fresh air recruiting

Landing three top-tier prospects in Sherrell, Reid, and Cunningham is a breath of fresh air for the Alabama Basketball team as they only signed four prospects last season. This year's trio may have a chance to pair up with returning players like Sam Walters, Jarin Stevenson, Kris Parker, and Mo Dioubate. The Alabama Basketball team has leaned heavily on transfers this season and so far it hasn't given the results everyone hoped for. Entering the 2024-2025 season hopefully, some added continuity and an infusion of talent can see the program return to the top ten.

Rankings via: 247 Sports