After losing all but three scholarship players last offseason, Alabama basketball rebuilt its roster this offseason. Several of the Crimson Tide's key players from a season ago departed in the transfer portal, while some with NBA Draft prospects chose to return to try and build on the side's Final Four run.
The Tide is also set to make a few additions. Alabama has already brought in Pepperdine guard Houston Mallette, South Florida's Chris Youngblood, former four-star recruit Aden Holloway from Auburn and Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi. After a trip to the Final Four, Tuscaloosa became an enticing destination for top targets this offseason as Nate Oats continues to assemble one of the most talented rosters in college basketball.
Here’s a tracker for Alabama’s comings and goings this offseason.
Kai Spears commits to Marshall (June 12)
Former Alabama guard Kai Spears found a new home for the 2024-25 season. On Wednesday, Spears committed to Marshall after three seasons with the Crimson Tide.
Spears spent two seasons with Alabama after joining as a walk-on in 2022. He was put on scholarship for the second half of last season and appeared in 11 games in 2023-24. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at Marshall, where Spears' father Christian Spears is the school's athletic director.
Mark Sears, Jarin Stevenson withdraw from NBA Draft (May 29)
Alabama will get its All-American guard and a talented rising sophomore back for the 2024-25 season. On Wednesday Tide guard Mark Sears and forward Jarin Stevenson withdrew their names from the 2024 NBA Draft.
In Sears, Alabama returned its leading scorer from last season. His 21.5 points per game ranked second in the SEC and helped power Alabama to the Final Four. He will be one of the best-returning players in the country when he takes the flour next season.
Stevenson appeared in 37 games, including five starts, averaging 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest. He should carve out another key role in his sophomore campaign and utilize his elite frame to help Alabama build off of its historic campaign a season ago.
Mo Wague commits to Oklahoma (May 14)
Former Alabama forward Mohamed Wague will stay in the SEC after entering the transfer portal April 23. On Tuesday, Wague announced his commitment to Oklahoma, making it his fourth school in as many seasons.
Wague joined Alabama after one season with West Virginia. The 6-foot-10, 225-pound forward averaged 3.1 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 62.7% from the floor. His struggles came in avoiding foul trouble, while he also dealt with a nagging heel injury which resulted in him averaging just 8.5 minutes per contest. Before his time with the Tide and Mountaineers, Wague played for Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Wague will return to Coleman Coliseum when Oklahoma plays Alabama next season. A date for the game is yet to be announced.
Alabama lands Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi (May 5)
Alabama basketball finally landed its big man. Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi committed to the Crimson Tide on Sunday, giving Nate Oats the post presence he was searching for this offseason.
Omoruyi is one of the nation’s top rim proctors, leading all Power 5 players with 93 blocks over 32 games last season (2.9 per game). The 6-foot-11, 240-pound center averaged 10.4 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 51.2% from the floor and 61% from the free-throw line.
Alabama’s frontcourt received some good news last month, as Grant Nelson confirmed that he did not enter his name in the NBA draft and will be returning for his final season. Omoruyi and Nelson should now form one of the SEC’s top frontcourts as the Crimson Tide looks to build on last season’s Final Four run.
Grant Nelson announces return to Alabama (April 29)
Alabama basketball is set to retain a key piece of its Final Four team for the 2024-25 campaign. Monday, Crimson Tide forward Grant Nelson announced he is returning for a second season in Tuscaloosa.
Nelson has a fifth year of eligibility remaining and decided to use it rather than declaring for the NBA Draft. Nelson averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game as a key cog in Alabama coach Nate Oats’ frontcourt last season. Before joining the Crimson Tide, Nelson spent three years at North Dakota State.
While Nelson didn't earn any postseason accolades after being named preseason first-team All-SEC, he came alive during Alabama’s NCAA Tournament run. Nelson averaged 11.4 points per game in the Big Dance, logged 24 points and 12 rebounds in the Sweet 16 against North Carolina and had 19 points and 15 rebounds in the Final Four against UConn.
Labaron Philon commits to Alabama (April 28)
Alabama basketball is adding another talented guard to next season’s roster. After being released from his letter of intent to Kansas, Rivals100 guard Labaron Philon committed to the Crimson Tide on Sunday. Philon, a Mobile, Alabama native, is rated as the No. 37 overall player and No. 6 point guard in this year’s class. He will have four years of eligibility with the Tide.
Philon was originally one of three top-40 recruits in Kansas’ signing class this year. However, that was before the Jayhawks bolstered their backcourt by adding Riley Kugel (Florida), Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State) and A.J. Storr (Wisconsin) from the transfer portal. After visiting Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Philon will be part of an Alabama signing class that includes a pair of McDonald’s All-Americans in forwards Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell as well as four-star forward Naasir Cunningham.
Philon led Link Academy (Missouri) to a top-10 national ranking and a semifinal appearance at the Chipotle Nationals. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound point guard averaged 11.7 points and 4.3 assists in 12 games on the EYBL Scholastic circuit, shooting better than 44% from 3-point range. During his junior season at Mobile’s Baker High School, Philon averaged 35.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.6 steals per game, shooting 52% from the floor and 34% from beyond the arc.
Nick Pringle commits to South Carolina (April 27)
Nick Pringle will stay in the SEC in the 2024-25 season. Saturday the former Crimson Tide forward announced his commitment to South Carolina. He initially entered the transfer portal April 16.
Pringle averaged 6.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Crimson Tide last season. He was in and out of the starting lineup and served a pair of suspensions, but overcame those to and was a key cog in Alabama's run to the Final Four. He averaged just over six points and six rebounds in the NCAA Tournament and had 16 points and 11 rebounds in Alabama's Elite Eight win over Clemson.
With the Gamecocks, Pringle returns to his home state where he played prep ball at Whale Branch High School in Seabrook, South Carolina. He spent one season at Wofford before a year at Dodge City Community College where he became a three-star junior college prospect before joining the Crimson Tide ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
Rylan Griffen commits to Kansas (April 25)
Rylan Griffen’s long-rumored move to Kansas is officially complete. After being linked to the Jayhawks since entering the transfer portal on April 11, the sharpshooting guard finally committed Friday, becoming the third Crimson Tide portal entrant to find a new home.
Previously this week, former Alabama forward Sam Walters committed to Michigan while former Tide guard Davin Cosby announced his transfer to Wake Forest. The Crimson Tide has three more uncommitted player in the transfer portal in forwards Nick Pringle and Mo Wague as well as guard Kris Parker.
Griffen averaged 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game and shot 39.2% from 3 last season. His departure means Alabama will have to replace two starters from its historic tournament run with guard Aaron Estrada out of eligibility.
Davin Cosby commits to Wake Forest (April 25)
Another former Alabama basketball player has found a new home. Davin Cosby committed to Wake Forest on Thursday becoming the second Crimson Tide portal entrant to move on to a new school. Earlier this week, former Tide forward Sam Walters announced his move to Michigan.
Cosby entered the transfer portal on April 12. After enrolling early to redshirt during the 2022-23 season, he made 22 appearances off the bench this past campaign. Cosby averaged 3.6 points over 7.8 minutes per game. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound guard shot 36.6% from the floor and 34.4% from beyond the arc. His best game came at Ole Miss on February 28 when he hit five 3s off the bench en route to scoring a season-high 15 points.
Cosby sat out Alabama’s postseason run after suffering a foot injury heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Cosby signed with Alabama as the No. 95 player in the 2022 class. He will have three years of eligibility remaining at Wake Forest.
Mo Wague enters transfer portal (April 23)
Alabama basketball is losing another big man from last year’s roster. According to reports, senior forward Mo Wague entered the portal on Tuesday. The former West Virginia transfer will have one year of eligibility remaining at his next school.
Wague started eight games over 33 appearances during his lone season at Alabama. The 6-foot-10, 225-pound forward averaged 3.1 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 62.7% from the floor. His struggles came in avoiding foul trouble, which resulted in him averaging just 8.5 minutes per contest.
Wague is the sixth scholarship player from last year’s team to enter the transfer portal, joining fellow forwards Nick Pringle and Sam Walters as well as guards Rylan Griffen, Davin Cosby and Kris Parker. Alabama is also losing starting guard Aaron Estrada, who is out of eligibility.
Latrell Wrightsell confirms return to Alabama (April 23)
Alabama is getting a key piece from its Final Four team back for another season. Latrell Wrightsell announced Tuesday that he will return for a second season with the Crimson Tide.
Wrightsell averaged 8.9 points and three rebounds per game last season. While he missed several games after suffering two separate head injuries, he was one of Alabama's best 3-point shooters when healthy. Wrightsell shot 44.7% from deep on just under five attempts per game and will likely get a higher volume of shots with an increased role next season.
Wrightsell is using his fifth and final season of eligibility. He spent his spent three years at Cal. State Fullerton before joining the Crimson Tide last season.
Sam Walters headed to Michigan (April 22)
Former Alabama forward Sam Walters is transferring to Michigan. The rising sophomore announced the move over social media Monday, choosing the Wolverines over Ohio State, Kentucky and Louisville.
Walters entered the transfer portal last week after coming off the bench during his freshman season at Alabama. The 6-foot-10, 198-pound forward appeared in 37 games for the Crimson Tide last season. He averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in just over 12 minutes per contest. He finished in double figures on seven occasions and was a 3-point spark plug off the bench at times last season, shooting 39.4% from deep. Walters was a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 51 player in the Class of 2023.
Alabama lands Auburn guard Aden Holloway (April 20)
Alabama basketball has added its third player from the transfer portal ahead of the 2024-25 season. Friday, former Auburn guard Aden Holloway announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.
Holloway is making the brave jump from Auburn to its in-state rivals in Tuscaloosa, which will certainly burn some bridges in the eyes of fans who dawn blue and orange. But the Tigers' loss is the Crimson Tide's gain. A former four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, Holloway appeared in 35 games for the Tigers, averaging 7.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He shot 31.8% from the field and 30.2% from 3 last season, while his assist tally ranked second among Aubun players. As a true freshman, he played just over 20 minutes per game becoming a key cog in a deep Auburn bench.
"He’s one of the best guards in the country, in my opinion," Alabama coach Nate Oats said of Holloway in January.
Mark Sears declares for NBA Draft, maintains college eligibility (April 17)
Alabama basketball guard Mark Sears will test the NBA Draft waters. Wednesday, Sears announced that he's declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility.
Sears was the best player on Alabama's Final Four team last season. He averaged 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and four assists per game. His scoring total ranked second in the SEC and helped Sears earn first-team all-conference and consensus second-team All-America honors. Sears also averaged 24.2 points per game in the NCAA Tournament, leading Alabama to its first-ever Final Four appearance.
Sears' announcement comes before the NBA's April 27 early-entry deadline. He has one year of eligibility remaining and must withdraw from the draft by May 29 to maintain his college eligibility and return for the 2024-25 season. Sears went through the same process after the 2022-23 season but ultimately decided to return to Tuscaloosa.
The NBA Draft begins on June 26. Sears can be invited to participate in the NBA G League Elite Camp from May 10-12 as well as the NBA Draft Combine from May 12-19.
Nick Pringle to enter the transfer portal (April 16)
Alabama basketball is set to lose a key connector from its Final Four team last season. According to multiple reports Tuesday, Crimson Tide forward Nick Pringle is planning to enter the transfer portal.
Pringle will have one season of eligibility remaining at his next school. He spent the last two seasons with Alabama after arriving from Dodge City Community College in 2022. He averaged 6.8 points and 5.1 rebounds last season and had a standout performance against Clemson in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, logging 16 points and 11 boards.
Alabama now has two open scholarship spots available.
Auburn guard Aden Holloway to visit Alabama Thursday
The Crimson Tide is set to welcome a player from in-state rival Auburn. According to multiple reports, Tigers' guard Aden Holloway will visit Alabama on Thursday.
Holloway was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023 and played in 35 games for the Tigers last season. He averaged 7.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in just over 20 minutes per game as part of a deep Auburn bench.
"He’s one of the best guards in the country, in my opinion," Alabama coach Nate Oats said in January.
Should Holloway commit to Alabama, he would be it's third addition from the transfer portal this offseason. The Tide has already added Pepperdine transfer Houston Mallette and South Florida guard Chis Youngblood.
Sam Walters to enter transfer portal (April 15)
Alabama is set to lose a fourth member of it's Final Four team. According to several reports Monday, freshman forward Sam Walters is set to enter the transfer portal.
Walters appeared in 37 games for the Crimson Tide last season. He averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in just over 12 minutes per contest. He finished in double figures on seven occasions and was a 3-point spark plug off the bench at times last season, shooting 39.4% from deep. Walters was was a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 51 player in the Class of 2023.
The Crimson Tide will now be replacing five members of its Final Four team. The Tide will lose Walters, Davin Cosby Jr., Rylan Griffen and Kris Parker, while Aaron Estrada is out of eligibility
Alabama lands South Florida guard Chris Youngblood
Alabama basketball has landed its second player in the transfer portal. Saturday, former South Florida guard Chris Youngblood announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.
Youngblood averaged 15.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for South Florida last season. He is the second player to commit to the Crimson Tide out of the portal, joining Pepperdine guard Houston Mallette.
The 6-foot-4, 218-pound guard visited Alabama during the football team’s A-Day scrimmage and committed the same day. Youngblood was raised in Tuscaloosa but moved to Georgia where he played high school ball at East Coweta.
Davin Cosby to enter transfer portal (April 12)
Another day another transfer departure for Alabama basketball. After Rylan Griffen announced his intent to enter the transfer portal Thursday night, Davin Cosby followed suit Friday afternoon. Cosby, a rising redshirt sophomore, will have three years of eligibility at his next school.
Cosby sat out Alabama’s postseason run after suffering a foot injury heading into the NCAA Tournament. That slowed down some of the momentum the redshirt freshman guard had developed after solid performances against Ole Miss and Tennessee late in the year. After enrolling early and redshirting last year, he played in 22 games this season, averaging 3.6 points over 7.8 minutes.
Cosby is the third scholarship player to announce his plan to enter the portal, following Griffen and Kris Parker. Alabama is also losing graduate guard Aaron Estrada, who saw his eligibility expire at the end of the season.
Rylan Griffen to enter transfer portal (April 11)
Alabama is set to lose one of its starters from its Final Four run. Thursday, multiple reports confirmed that Crimson Tide guard Rylan Griffen will enter the transfer portal after two seasons in Tuscaloosa.
Griffen averaged 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game and shot 39.2% from 3 last season. His departure means Alabama will have to replace two starters from its historic tournament run with guard Aaron Estrada out of eligibility.
Kris Parker to enter transfer portal (April 10)
Alabama is on the verge of its first scholarship transfer departure as freshman guard Kris Parker is set to enter the transfer portal, according to a report from On3's Joe Tipton. Parker redshirted during his first season with the Crimson Tide. The 6-foot-9, 195-pound Tallahassee, Florida native signed with Alabama as the No. 88 overall player and No. 16 shooting guard in last year's class.
“[Parker]'s gotten a lot better,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said in February. “He’s a much better defender, he’s using his athleticism. He's becoming a better shooter. That’s the one area that he's really got to work hard on in the offseason, but he has become better. He's just getting better every day in practice, and he's a great kid.”
Walk-on Max Scharnowski enters transfer portal (April 10)
Alabama walk-on forward Max Scharnowski entered the transfer portal, becoming the first Crimson Tide player to do so this offseason.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound senior played in 12 games last season and made all three shots he attempted, including a 3 against South Alabama, and layups against LSU and Chattanooga.
Scharnowski was awarded the NCAA Elite 90 Award, given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA in this year's Final Four. He also earned the SEC Community Service Award this year and has a 4.0 GPA as a pre-med major.