After a Sweet 16 loss, Alabama men’s basketball saw its roster take a major hit, with key contributors heading to the transfer portal and declaring for the draft.
Head coach Nate Oats now faces the challenge of replacing more than half of his roster. Players such as center Aiden Sherrell, guard Jalil Bethea, and forward Taylor Bol Bowen all entered the transfer portal following the season’s conclusion. Meanwhile, guard Latrell Wrightsell, forward Houston Mallette and center Noah Williamson have exhausted their college eligibility. Arguably the most significant loss comes from guard Labaron Philon, who led the team by averaging 22.0 points, 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game this season.
Roster reconstruction is nothing new for Oats, as the current landscape of transfer portal movement and draft departures has consistently placed pressure not only on him, but on coaches across the country.
Although it is still early in the offseason, the Crimson Tide appear to be trending in a new direction. In addition to the departures, there is uncertainty surrounding guard Aden Holloway and forward Amari Allen, both of whom played key roles last season. However, this year’s recruiting and transfer class provides reason for optimism as Oats looks to reshape the roster for next season.
For the 2026-27 season, Alabama has three recruits committed to joining the program. First on the list is wing Qayden Samuels, a top-25 recruit in the 2026 class. Samuels is listed at 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, and offers positional versatility at both guard and forward, along with strong scoring and rebounding ability. He is currently rated as a four-star recruit and is ranked sixth at his position by 247Sports. With top scorers such as Philon and Wrightsell no longer on the roster, Oats has confidence in Samuel to project as an immediate-impact player who can help replace lost scoring production.
“Qayden Samuels is an electric scorer and has proven to be one of the best scorers in the country,” Oats said.
Headlining Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class is forward Jaxon Richardson. Richardson is a five- star prospect and the younger brother of Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson and son of former NBA player Jason Richardson. While both his brother and father played basketball at Michigan State, Jaxon is set to carve out his own path at Alabama.
Richardson is an explosive athlete with elite vertical ability, making him a constant threat in transition. In addition to his athleticism, Richardson brings rebounding ability and defensive playmaking, averaging 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1 block per game. He is also ranked among the top 25 in the class and seventh at his position.
Richardson explained why the decision to commit to Alabama felt like an easy one.
“During my visits, just getting to know the team, I created a great bond with the guys. And then I just feel like the style they play, they play fast, which I think I’d definitely fit in and succeed in,” Richardson said.
Rounding out the recruiting class for the Crimson Tide thus far is guard Tarris Bouie. Bouie is listed at 6-foot-6 and 170 by 247Sports, possessing a slender frame and long stride length. He is a McDonald’s All-American game selection who ranked 10th in scoring and averaged 20 points per game in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL), a premier circuit that prepares elite athletes for college and the draft. Similar to Samuels and Richardson, Bouie offers versatility through his rebounding, defensive activity and shot-blocking ability.
The trio provides a promising outlook for the Crimson Tide heading into next season, as the program will rely on immediate contributions from its incoming class.
Although the transfer portal only opened on April 7, Alabama has already landed an addition in center Brandon Garrison. Garrison is transferring from the University of Kentucky, where he averaged 4.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists this season. Prior to his time at Kentucky, he began his collegiate career at Oklahoma State, averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds that season. Garrison stands at 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, and could help address the loss of Sherell in the frontcourt. Although the numbers don’t pop on screen, Garrison adds needed interior presence and playmaking to a roster that could benefit off his potential upside.
Though the next season won’t begin until early November, Alabama is off to a strong start in constructing its roster for the year ahead.
