Alabama basketball starts practice today with high expectations thanks to a loaded roster. The Crimson Tide brings back talented contributors from last season, a highly regarded transfer class, and the No. 2 recruiting class in the 2024 cycle.
Nate Oats has raised the bar in Tuscaloosa, leading Alabama to the program’s first ever Final Four last season. He’s entering his sixth year at the helm, and with multiple SEC titles and last season’s run to the Final Four, Oats has raised the bar. He’s assembled one of the best rosters in the country, and the Crimson Tide are legitimate national title contenders.
With practice starting, it’s time to begin previewing the 2024-25 roster. For the returning players and the transfers, we’ll do a single preview for each player because there’s more data points to point to. For the freshmen, we’re doing one big preview for the four of them.
Derrion Reid, wing, 5-star, No. 10 overall in the 247 composite
Derrion Reid was the crown jewel in this class. He was the No. 10 ranked player in the class, per the 247 composite rankings, and has legitimate one-and-done potential.
Reid played more as a four in high school, but projects as a wing in college and at the next level, which is where he’ll be looking to develop. He’s a three-level scorer, with the ability to get to the rim, hit from mid-range, and knock down three’s. He’s not the most consistent shooter, but his shot looks good, and he hit 40% from three on the Nike EYBL circuit.
His most comfortable spot on the floor right now is in the mid-range off of face-up opportunities out of the post. Shots that he won’t really be encouraged to take here, unless he makes them at a very efficient clip.
Reid came to Alabama so he could develop as a wing. He knows the freedom he’ll be allowed to play with in this system, and Oats instills a confidence in his players that’s rare. He’ll see a lot of minutes on the wing, but don’t be surprised to see him play a decent bit at the four, too.
Reid uses his feet well as a defender and has the versatility to guard multiple positions. With a roster as loaded as Alabama’s, and with Oats’ track record, the best way to earn minutes is to bust your butt on the defensive end of the floor.
Projected role: Rotational contributor
Aiden Sherrell, Big, 5-star, No. 23 in 247 composite
Aiden Sherrell has a bit of a lanky frame for his size, but like Reid he could very well be a one-and-done player, too. Sherrell is the modern-day big man. He’s an exceptional athlete who plays above the rim. He can block shots on defense and rim-run on defense. He’s also flashed a decent jumpshot with the ability to extend past the three-point line. He reminds me a bit of Donta Hall.
I wouldn’t expect him to connect on a ton of three’s as a freshman, but that’s part of his developmental track that will make him all the more intriguing for NBA scouts thirsting for a stretch-five.
Sherrell should be able to hold up inside defensively, and the most intriguing part of his game is his versatility on that end of the floor. He has quick feet and will not get abused off the pick-and-rolls when he gets switched on to guards.
Sherrell has all the tools to be one of the better young big men in college basketball, but he hasn’t always proven to play with a high motor, which will be the key for him to get minutes.
Projected role: Rotational big, primary backup 5 for Cliff Omoruyi
Labaron Philon, Guard, 4-star, No. 35 in composite
Labaron Philon has been the talk of the summer in Tuscaloosa and could turn out to be the best player out of this loaded recruiting class for the Crimson Tide. Oats raved about him on Hey Coach last week, saying he’s better than they expected and will be right in the mix for minutes at guard.
That’s wild considering he’ll be competing for minutes against a Naismith candidate in Mark Sears, last year’s AAC co-player of the year in Chris Youngblood, a graduate senior and returning player in Latrell Wrightsell, and a former 5-star prospect in Auburn transfer Aden Holloway.
Philon has great size for a lead guard and has natural scoring instincts. He’s been a bit inconsistent as a three-point shooter, but he hit 44% on the Nike EYBL circuit. He has a nasty crossover and can get to the rim and finish. His ability to break down defenses and get to the basket will be a huge addition in an offense that revolves around paint touches and kick-out three-pointers.
I would expect to see Philon get a lot of minutes next to Mark Sears in the backcourt, which should open up Sears for more spot-up three-point looks. If you would have asked me a few months ago what his role might look like, I wouldn’t have expected much because of how loaded the backcourt already was. Based on what I’ve heard, I would expect him to see a lot of minutes.
Projected role: Rotational guard, sixth or seventh man
Naas Cunningham, wing, 4-star, No. 46 in 247 composite
Two years ago, Naas Cunningham was rated as the No. 1 player in the 2024 class. He slipped down the rankings some, but the potential is still there for Cunningham to be one of the best players in this class.
He has all the tools – size, length, ball-handling, shooting. Cunningham might be the best athlete on the roster already; he’ll make some plays that will bring the Coleman crowd to its feet. He has struggled with consistency, particulary as a shooter, but his form looks good and he has the confidence to let it fly, something that Oats will feed into.
He has the tools to be a good defender, too, but hasn’t shown a big interest in doing so. He’ll have to here, or he’ll spend most of his freshman season on the bench. If he ends up carving out a role, it probably means he’s closer to the No. 1 guy he was two years ago than the No. 46 spot he finished at.
Projected role: Bench depth
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