NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 5 teams top-50 forward Amier Ali
Key class of 2024 forward Amier Ali is down to five NCAA Basketball options. Which of them makes the most sense in his recruitment?
One of the more versatile prospects in the 2024 NCAA Basketball class is Amier Ali, a 6’8 combo forward out of the state of Florida. He’s a solid defender who can play on the perimeter offensively and take advantage of potential mismatches.
Ali now is reportedly down to just five options, including the powerhouse programs. Here’s a closer look at how he’d fit with each of them.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama’s situation at forward is a lot of unproven young options at the moment. That includes top-100 freshman wing Mouhamed Diabate, who currently is injured at the moment. The Tide are after some other big names at forward and also has reclassed five-star freshman Jarin Stevenson to play at the four-spot. So minutes could be an issue depending on who else they add in the 2024 class.
Arizona State Sun Devils
Although the Sun Devils don’t have the same kind of prestige as the others on this list, family connections with the staff could help them here. There’s also plenty of potential playing time at the forward positions after some recent departures. They do have Louisville transfer Kamari Lands and freshman Akil Watson but both to this point are unproven players.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas will be losing Jeremiah Davenport and Denijay Harris after next season so there’s definitely a need for more wings on the future roster. However, the team just got a commitment from top-100 forward Jalen Shelley, who plays similar to Ali. Plus, you know the SEC team will want to have some veterans as well. So could they be out altogether here?
Kansas Jayhawks
Who knows if Kansas would be an option had former four-star commit Marcus Adams Jr. stuck around but there’s some potential room on the wing open here once Kevin McCullar Jr. leaves. Australian freshman Johnny Furphy is unproven so Ali could pass him up. However, the Jayhawks are after some even bigger forward prospects, including Karter Knox, Bryson Tucker and Tyler Betsey. A commitment from one of them could cause issues when it comes to playing time.
Kentucky Wildcats
Veteran Antonio Reeves is expected to play mostly at the three-spot for Kentucky this season so once he leaves, there’s plenty of room for a future win like Ali to come in and have an impact. But besides having to compete against guys already on the roster such as Jordan Burks and Adou Thiero, the team is definitely going to add a couple of five-star prospects in the 2024 class.
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Players ranked in the top-50 like Ali have gotten playing time at Kentucky in the past so he’s not guaranteed to be stuck on the bench. But he may have to wait a minute before becoming a focal point of the offense and he still could end up mostly as a role player. If wanting a secure role is key, the Wildcats may not be the best option.