Alabama basketball is going big-game hunting in the Transfer Portal as Nate Oats looks to make use of some additional dollars to build next season's roster and push the Crimson Tide into contention for a national championship.
But those big names might take a little longer to make decisions.
Along with some star power, Oats is going to need some bodies to fill out depth on the roster. Along with star center Aiden Sherrell (portal) and star point guard Labaron Philon (NBA Draft), Alabama is looking to replace rotational pieces like Houston Mallette, Taylor Bol Bowen, and Latrell Wrightsell, as well as end-of-bench guys like Noah Williamson and Jalil Bethea.
So perhaps the first two additions that could be added for the Crimson Tide won't be the most exciting, but they'll be quality players capable of filling integral roles on next season's roster.
Nate Oats could quickly add these 2 players from the Transfer Portal
Cade Phillips, F/C, Tennessee
It's pretty easy to connect the dots with Cade Phillips to Alabama. He's a Tide legacy, the son of a former Alabama football player and women's basketball player, along with being the nephew of former Tide star QB Brodie Croyle.
His potential addition would indicate a bit of a roster-building change for Oats, which he hinted at in the aftermath of the Tide's Sweet 16 loss to Michigan. Phillips, an Alabama native, wasn't heavily recruited by Alabama out of high school, instead opting to sign with Rick Barnes and Tennessee.
He's not the normal type of Oats big man: he's a total non-shooter, and his overall offensive game leaves a lot to be desired. But what Phillips does bring is a blue-collar mentality and a willingness to do the dirty work.
He's an exceptional offensive rebounder and a good rim protector. He'd be capable of playing both the four and five for the Crimson Tide.
Phillips won't be a replacement for Aiden Sherrell, but he'd be an upgrade over Noah Williamson off the bench.
Jasper Johnson, CG, Kentucky
Alabama was the runner-up in the recruitment of Jasper Johnson out of high school, ultimately losing out on the 5-star guard to his hometown Kentucky Wildcats. But after one disappointing season in Lexington, Johnson has entered the portal looking for a fresh start.
Johnson averaged 4.9 points per game in 30 contests for Kentucky. He wasn't a great fit for Mark Pope, but he could enter the Nate Oats guard rehabilitation school and see a similar year-to-year jump that Jahvon Quinerly and Aden Holloway saw. Or, he could turn out to be Jalil Bethea 2.0. You never really know.
Johnson would certainly fit the mold of Oats wanting to get bigger across the roster. He's a 6-foot-5 combo guard who was billed as one of the best shooters in his high school class.
If Johnson is going to reach his immense potential, there's no better place than Tuscaloosa for it to get pulled out of him.