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Javian Fleming Commits To Alabama over Georgetown

6-foot-9, 230-pound post player Javian Fleming has committed to Alabama
6-foot-9, 230-pound post player Javian Fleming has committed to Alabama

6-foot-9, 230-pound post player Javian Fleming has just committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball Team. Here is what you need to know about Alabama's latest basketball commitment.

From Rivals.com

“I like Alabama because of where they are headed,” Fleming said. “I like the way they improve every year as a team and as a program. The Alabama staff is a big thing that I like, too, because they remain in contact with me so much with their calls and texts. We have a great relationship.”

Analysis

This is a massive commitment for Alabama Basketball Coach Avery Johnson because Fleming plays a position that Alabama desperately needs playmakers at. Fleming is considered a top 5 player in the State of Mississippi and around a top 200 player nationally in the class of 2018.

Fleming is still raw at 6-foot-9 230 pounds, but considering where he was this time last year he has improved tremendously. He has developed some nice low post moves and his defense has gotten extremely better. Fleming reminds me of a young Jamychal Green out of high school. Big kid with a lot of room still to grow, very skilled, and a great defensive player. He, along with Jared Butler, are guys that Alabama Basketball Coach Avery Johnson found early in the process and they have improved into top 200 players.

Commitment came down to

Javian Fleming's recruitment came down to two schools: Alabama and Georgetown. I, along with many others, could tell he really loved Alabama. He visited multiple times, he really enjoyed when the staff visited, he was just enamored by Alabama. He also really liked Patrick Ewing at Georgetown and the feel up there. However, the distance and the overall relationship with Avery Johnson was too much to overcome.

Where does he fit into Alabama's program

With Fleming's commitment, it gives Alabama a fifth true post player. When do you remember Alabama having that many? Coach Avery is building something that revolves around: strong rebounding, inside defense, and with playmakers around them.

Javian will have an opportunity to step into a nice role next season and could become even bigger if Donta Hall goes pro. Like I said, he is still raw and will take some coaching, but his potential is sky high.

Who else to watch from the class of 2018

I believe Alabama will take 1 more player in the 2018 class. It seems to be down to two players: Robert Woodard and Diante Wood. Both will be waiting until the late signing period next year to decide. Robert Woodard would be the biggest potential signing being a top 100 player. He is also best friends with Alabama's newest commit, Javian Fleming. Are you Buckled Up yet?

From Cory Evans of Rivals.com

The second commitment in the 2018 class for Avery Johnson, Fleming is a strong center that can slide between either frontcourt position and produce accordingly. He has developed more of his face-up game within recent months all while remaining a force on the glass and finishing through contact near the low post.

While Alabama is set to return all of its frontcourt pieces following this season, there is a chance the Tide could lose Braxton Key earlier than expected for the NBA. Donta Hall is due to emerge at the four this winter while Alex Reese, Galin Smith and Daniel Giddens remain underclassmen on this season’s roster.

Fleming will be joined by Rivals150 commit Jared Butler next fall in Tuscaloosa. The Tide becomes the seventh SEC program to boast at least two pledges in the 2018 class as the initial signing period begins next Wednesday.

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