10 players that Alabama MBB should target in the transfer portal
The Alabama basketball team will look a lot different next season with six players departing from the program. Three others are testing the draft waters. The only three scholarship players that are currently on the Alabama roster for next season are Rylan Griffen, Nick Pringle, and Davin Cosby Jr.
That leaves the Tide with a lot of room to work. However, it does sting knowing that Alabama’s leading scorer and rebounder Brandon Miller will be heading off to the NBA.
Alabama has already landed one transfer this offseason in forward Jaykwon Walton.
The Tide will be looking to add more through the transfer portal in the coming weeks and months. Several transfers that have received interest and are planning to visit Tuscaloosa are Hofstra transfer Aaron Estrada, Wofford transfer BJ Mack, and Cal State Fullerton transfer Latrell Wrightsell Jr.
The roster will shape up differently than a season ago. Roll Tide Wire breaks down 10 transfers that the Alabama coaching staff should target for the 2023-2024 season.
Max Abmas
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
’22-’23 Stats: 21.9 PPG / 4.4 RPG / 4.0 APG / 43.6 FG% / 37.3 3P%
Alabama has lost two guards to the transfer portal this offseason. In addition, the Tide does not have a true point guard on the roster heading into next season. That is likely to change as either Mark Sears or Jahvon Quinerly will return, if not both. Abmas is arguably one of the best transfers available. He is a systematic fit for the Tide as well. Abmas is a proven shooter and a good defender. There have been no updates regarding his recruitment. However, I would not be surprised if Alabama has reached out to him.
Olivier Nkamhoua
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
’22-’23 Stats: 10.8 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 2.0 APG / 51.3 FG% / 33.3 3P%
Oats likes for his forwards to be able to shoot the three and defend at a high level. Last season, he had Noah Clowney and Noah Gurley. Both were key pieces to the Tide’s frontcourt. However, both of them will be headed to the professional ranks. One transfer that could come in and fill a similar role is Tennessee transfer Olivier Nkhamhoua. The native of Finland had an expanded role for the Volunteers last season. He played his best ball down the stretch. The best game of his college career came against Duke when he scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. His presence inside the paint and his ability to knock down threes is something the Tide could use. Not to mention, he has experience playing in the SEC.
Ryan Nembhard
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
’22-’23 Stats: 12.1 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 4.8 APG / 43.2 FG% / 35.6 3P%
One of the more recent transfer portal additions that caught my attention is Ryan Nembhard. Ryan is the younger brother of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard. The two play similarly in the fact that they can contribute on both ends of the floor on a nightly basis. While many suspect Ryan will follow in his older brother’s footsteps and transfer to Gonzaga, it may not be his best move. Nembhard could benefit from playing in a freelance offense like Alabama’s. He is a great facilitator and shooter. His style of play is somewhat relative to Jahvon Quinerly’s. Also, the Tide have proven that they can put guards in the league. It would make sense for Alabama to pursue Nembhard.
Adam Miller
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
’22-’23 Stats: 11.5 PPG / 2.3 RPG / 1.7 APG / 33.6 FG% / 31.6 3P%
It has been a tough go for former Illinois and LSU guard Adam Miller. The Illinois native has battled injuries and long-awaited his rise to stardom. He was a key piece to Illinois’ rotation but chose to transfer following the 2020-2021 season. Last season, Miller struggled for the Tigers. However, he still found ways to average 11.5 points per game. In the right system, Miller’s ceiling is much higher than his floor. Oats and the coaching staff would be welcoming of Miller hoisting up 10 shots a game as long as he plays well on the defensive end. He does not have to shoot at a high percentage. His style of play fits what Oats is looking for in my opinion.
Hunter Sallis
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
’22-’23 Stats: 4.5 PPG / 2.2 RPG / 1.4 APG / 46.6 FG% / 25.6 3P%
While Sallis’ stats are not glaring, his potential is. Sallis spent his first two seasons as a bench player for the Bulldogs. He was not able to truly showcase his talents given the veteran guards that played over him. A change of scenery is what is best for Sallis given his circumstances. His ability to contribute off of the bench is something that Alabama could use. Not to mention, he would see an increase in minutes at Alabama. Sallis also grew up playing with Alabama transfer target Latrell Wrightsell Jr. The two could reunite in Tuscaloosa. That would be a win-win for both them and the Tide.
Jalen Hill
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK
’22-’23 Stats: 9.7 PPG / 5.8 RPG / 1.3 APG / 49.8 FG% / 29.1 3P%
Hill scored his season-high (26) in a January matchup between Alabama and Oklahoma. Perhaps, that left a lasting impression on Coach Oats. Hill was more than efficient against the Tide. He shot 9-11 from the floor and 6-7 from distance. With Alabama losing multiple players in its frontcourt, the coaching staff should look to target Hill. He is a veteran that played four seasons in arguably the best conference in college basketball, the Big 12. His role would likely be similar to Noah Gurley’s. He would be a key piece off of Alabama’s bench and could possibly compete for a starting role at the four spot. The Tide could use Hill’s skillset next season.
Elijah Fisher
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
’22-’23 Stats: 3.3 PPG / 2.0 RPG / 0.4 APG / 46.1 FG% / 25.0 3P%
Alabama has landed multiple players in recent years from Canada. Several are Joshua Primo, Keon Ambrose-Hylton, and Charles Bediako. Well, Fisher is a Canadian as well. He also fits Oats’ system at Alabama. A lengthy wing that can spread the floor and knock down shots from three. While Fisher was not recruited by Alabama out of high school, he still fits the mold of the prototypical Alabama small forward. He is 6-foot-7, 190 pounds. His measurables and playing style are somewhat similar to former Alabama forward Herb Jones. That may be a lofty comparison, but it gets the point across. Fisher would thrive in a system like Alabama’s
Kam Woods
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
’22-’23 Stats: 17.3 PPG / 4.2 RPG / 3.3 APG / 38.5 FG% / 33.7 3P%
This just makes sense for both Woods and Alabama. After all, Woods is an Alabama native and was a high school teammate of Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry. He began his college career at Troy before transferring to Hutchinson Community College for a season. Then, he made the decision to transfer to North Carolina A&T. Woods is an athletic combo guard that can shoot and defend at a high level. In two games against top-25 opponents, Woods scored 56 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out eight assists. With Alabama’s backcourt lacking depth, Woods could come in and be a difference-maker. It is unclear as to whether or not the Alabama coaching staff has reached out to Woods.
Kimani Hamilton
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK
’22-’23 Stats: 2.6 PPG / 1.0 RPG / 0.6 APG / 38.5 FG% / 30.8 3P%
Alabama’s interest would make a lot of sense given the fact that the Tide recruited Hamilton out of high school. Actually, Hamilton’s final three consisted of Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Alabama. With Alabama’s success this past season, it could definitely play in the Tide’s favor. A pairing of Jaykwon Walton and Kimani Hamilton could make for the best forward tandem in the conference heading into next season. Both are lengthy, dynamic wings that can shoot and defend at a high level. Hamilton was unable to display his potential this past season for the Bulldogs but could carve out a role in Alabama’s rotation next season if given the opportunity.
Tyrese Samuel
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
’22-’23 Stats: 11.0 PPG / 5.9 RPG / 0.7 APG / 55.0 FG% / 26.7 3P%
With Noah Clowney leaving and Charles Bediako contemplating whether to stay in the draft or not, Alabama could target Seton Hall transfer, Tyrese Samuel. Samuel is 6-foot-10, 235 pounds. He can play either the four or five spot. Last season, he had six double-doubles in a battle-tested Big East. His ability to protect the rim and score points could bode well in Alabama’s system. He is still available and would be an interesting fit if the Tide decided to reach out to him.
