NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 team finalists for 2023 5-star guard Ja’Kobe Walter
By Ian Mumm
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide has been an exciting program to follow since head coach Nate Oats joined the fray. They play up-tempo, let the 3-ball fly, and have an insane amount of guard depth to create a lot of motion on the offensive end. There’s been no shortage of talent that have wanted to play for Oats or that style of system either.
While Alabama managed to win the SEC regular-season title last season, pre-season and early-season injuries have derailed the overall potential of players suiting up in Tuscaloosa. Oats has typically found a way to counter those hurdles with strong overall roster depth, but this off-season’s losses are more numerous than normal leaving many holes to plug.
Fortunately, Oats has again found answers in securing another top-5 recruiting class complete with top-50 guards Brandon Miller, Rylan Griffen, and Jaden Bradley to join Jahvon Quinerly and Nimari Burnett in the backcourt. Griffen not only played in the same school district as Ja’Kobe Walter, but the pair played together for Team Trae Young as well opening the door a little more for the 5-star guard to join the program in 2023.
As so much talent flows into Tuscaloosa each season, Oats has done a great job of managing minutes within the rotation to maximize production on an individual and collective basis. With these considerations, Walter should have no issues finding impactful minutes within the rotation should he choose to join the Tide.