Since Alabama’s season ended with an Elite Eight loss to Duke, head coach Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide basketball staff have been actively working the Transfer Portal. In just the past week, they’ve secured commitments from Bucknell center Noah Williamson and Florida State forward Taylor Bol Bowen. On the flip side, two Alabama players—Naas Cunningham and Mouhamed Dioubate—have entered the portal.
At the moment, Alabama has one open roster spot. However, that number could increase to three if the NCAA approves an expansion to 15 scholarships—and that’s without factoring in any additional transfers. More roster turnover remains a possibility.
Oats and his staff are still pursuing multiple portal targets. One key player they’re targeting is expected to visit Tuscaloosa once the recruiting dead period ends on April 10.
According to Jon Rothstein, Miami (FL) transfer guard Jalil Bethea will visit both Alabama and NC State next week:
Bethea entered college as a 5-star recruit and was ranked No. 7 nationally in the 2024 class by the 247Sports Composite. His freshman season at Miami didn’t live up to expectations, as he averaged just 7.1 points per game on 36.8% shooting. Alabama views him as a developmental prospect—similar to how they approached Aden Holloway’s transfer from Auburn last year.
The recruitment of Bethea appears to be shaping up as a head-to-head between Alabama’s Oats and NC State’s Will Wade. Meanwhile, Alabama is also in pursuit of Jacksonville State guard Jaron Pierre Jr., and it’s unclear who they’d prioritize if only one roster spot remains.
A major variable in Alabama’s backcourt plans is Labaron Philon’s pending decision on whether to enter the 2025 NBA Draft. Oats is hopeful Philon will return for his sophomore season to lead the team at point guard, but Philon is weighing his draft stock—some analysts see him as a potential lottery pick, while others project him as a second-rounder.
If Philon opts to go pro, Alabama may prioritize a veteran presence like Pierre—someone with experience running an offense. But if Philon returns, Bethea might be a better fit for a developmental role off the bench.
The deadline to declare for the NBA Draft is April 26. Players can retain college eligibility after declaring, as long as they withdraw by June 15.