Taylor Bol Bowen's unique skill set on full display at Alabama basketball practice

One of the most exciting newcomers for Nate Oats and Alabama basketball is Florida State transfer Taylor Bol Bowen, a unique do-it-all forward who seems like a perfect fit in the modern era of positionless basketball.

Bol Bowen spent two seasons at Florida State before entering the portal and choosing to come play for Oats in Tuscaloosa. After playing a small, reserve role as a freshman, Bol Bowen started 28 games for the Seminoles last season, scoring 8.0 points, grabbing 5.2 rebounds, and producing 2.5 stocks (steals + blocks) per game. His 41.4% three-point shooting and 78% from the free-throw line got Oats and Preston Murphy's attention, as did his defensive versatility.

Bol Bowen can guard on the perimeter or in the post, and does excellent work as a weakside shot blocker coming over as a help defender. It's not a stretch to say that the FSU transfer will be Alabama's most effective and versatile defender next season. Taking a leap on the defensive end is necessary if the Crimson Tide wants to have a legitimate shot at winning the program's first National Championship. Bol Bowen is a massive addition for those hopes.

But he brings an offensive skill set that is being overlooked. He brings a similar versatility to that end of the floor, and that's something that was on full display in a recent clip from practice shared by assistant coach Preston Murphy.

Taylor Bol Bowen's ball-handling and off the dribble skills on full display at practice

Labaron Philon's job isn't in jeopardy by any means - the above post on Twitter is a joke by Murphy. But the video itself is anything but. Bol Bowen brings the ball up the court, makes a nice pass, gets the ball back, crosses over his defender, and then attacks the rim for a dunk.

I think most had the idea that Bol Bowen would likely be your typical stretch-four and stand in the corner waiting to knock down open threes. He certainly might do some of that, but his offensive skill set is beyond what many probably expect.

Philon will run the point, but it is pivotal in Oats' wide-open, fast-paced offense to have multiple guys on the floor at the same time who are capable of bringing the ball up the court and initiating offense. Bol Bowen shows a clear ability in the above video of doing just that.

That video makes me more confident that Bol Bowen may see some time as the three instead of the four for the Crimson Tide, which could open up some bigger lineups for Oats. That could include a twin-tower lineup of Aiden Sherrell and Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson sharing the court.

It could also open up more playing time for Tarleton State transfer Keitenn Bristow, who has flashed in practice and looks much more like a player right now than the expected project.