Alabama Basketball: Things already looking bright for 2024-25

With the confirmed return of Nate Oats, Alabama Basketball is looking to build on the best two-year stretch in program history.

2022-23 was arguably Bama’s best team ever, while the 2023-24 squad overcame an underwhelming regular season to make the first Final Four run in school history. 

Things are already looking bright for next year’s team, which will look to make history in its own right. While we are still awaiting the inevitable offseason chaos, the pieces are available for Coach Oats to put together another masterpiece.

Standouts like All-American guard Mark Sears, sharp-shooting wings Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Rylan Griffen, and athletic forwards Grant Nelson and Nick Pringle all have eligibility to return. After serving in reserve roles this season, freshmen Mo Dioubate, Jarin Stevenson, Sam Walters, and Davin Cosby could all return as well, along with reserve big Mo Wague. 

In terms of new additions to the lineup, Coach Oats is already off to a fast start. Bama is bringing in a top-5 recruiting class, highlighted by stretch big Aiden Sherrell and two elite wings in Derrion Reid and Naas Cunningham.

Oats has also already added a prolific shooter with college experience in Pepperdine transfer Houston Mallette. With redshirt freshman Kris Parker also slated to join the rotation, the Crimson Tide is adding a ton of length and athleticism to a roster that already wasn’t lacking. 

Look for Oats to continue to scour the portal for gems as NBA Draft and transfer decisions are made. It will be awhile before the 2024-25 roster is set in stone, but patience will be required of the fan base. 

Coach Oats has proven he is among the nation’s best at piecing together a roster using all of his available resources over the course of an offseason. Next season has the potential to be one of his best teams yet.