What Nate Oats has done and meant for the Crimson Tide cannot really be understated, turning Alabama into a basketball powerhouse in recent years. Alabama is fresh off another fantastic season, tying for 2nd place in a very competitive SEC before advancing to the Sweet Sixteen, getting that far in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth year in a row and fifth time under Oats.
Part of the sustained success of the Crimson Tide has been Oats’ ability to find and bring in new talent year after year. This was evident with the success of players like Labaron Philon, Aiden Sherrell, and Latrell Wrightsell, though all three are gone. Fortunately, another crop of impressive names will continue to shine for the Crimson Tide, with Aden Holloway in the backcourt and both Amari Allen and London Jemison coming back for their sophomore seasons.
That sustained building continues as four 4-star prospects join the Crimson Tide, with small forward Jaxon Richardson the most notable as a Top 25 recruit. With their notable departures in the frontcourt, Alabama also grabbed some significant size out of the transfer portal. Brandon Garrison and Jamarion Davis-Fleming both put up decent numbers in minor roles on SEC teams last season at Kentucky and Mississippi State respectively.
The third and most vital of those transfer additions has to be Drew Fielder, the 6-10 forward from Boise. He spent his first two collegiate seasons at Georgetown, becoming a full-time starter for the Hoyas as a sophomore while putting up decent numbers in the Big East. For year three, Fielder returned to his hometown and starred at Boise State, averaging 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds while leading the Mountain West in field goal percentage.
Piecing together Alabama’s lineup makes you realize the important role that Fielder should play next season. We know that Holloway will lead the charge and that Allen and Jemison are important forwards in this lineup, but the Crimson Tide really needed talent and strength at the 5. All three of those transfer additions have potential to play that role, but Fielder has the experience, the talent, and the recent success.
He was also the highest-rated of Alabama’s three transfer additions and it’s fair to think he’ll get everything chance to be the starting center, even with Garrison and Davis-Fleming fighting for those minutes. Things are looking pretty great for the Crimson Tide with those returners and the young talent, but Fielder provides a bit of veteran experience and could be pretty great at the back end if given that opportunity.
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