Recruiting Rundown: Could SEC Basketball Race Come Down to Weekend Decision?

A snapshot look at the latest in the Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting world as things continue to heat up this summer.

When it comes to the 2023-24 men's basketball season, the Alabama Crimson Tide was considered one of the favorites to win the league title, along with Kentucky and Arkansas, until it suddenly had a front-court void with the NBA departures of Noah Clowney and Charles Bediako joining Brandon Miller in the NBA Draft. 

With open roster spots and scholarships available, Alabama has been targeting numerous players through the transfer portal, especially who have opted out of the 2023 NBA Draft and didn't want to return to their old schools. The first key name is closing in on a decision, which will likely come this weekend. 

According to Stadium's Jeff Goodman, Grant Nelson is down to Alabama and Arkansas. The 6-foot-11 forward from North Dakota State, who averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds last season, visited the Crimson Tide earlier this week, and the Razorbacks on Thursday. 

With summer classes and workouts gearing up, look for there to be a lot of movement in general after Nelson announces his decision, especially among the remaining power forwards. A lot of immediate attention will turn to Creighton's Arthur Kaluma, another highly coveted big man that can help the Tide in 2023.

News and Notes 

• Forward Jarin Stevenson, a top basketball prospect out of Pittsboro, N.C., is expected to announce a decision on whether or not to reclassify Friday (June 9). The Crimson Tide target recently visited both Alabama and North Carolina. 

• Kobe Black, one of the top cornerback prospects in the nation, is visiting numerous schools over the summer, but told 247Sports that he'll be visiting Alabama for the Arkansas game in October. "I'll probably commit sometime after my Bama visit," he said.

• Casey Poe, one of the top interior linemen out of Texas, told Rivals.com: “The biggest decision of my life was accepting Jesus Christ but I could honestly say the second would be to play for Coach Saban and Alabama.” He's visiting Tuscaloosa on June 23. 

• Per On3, Davon Mitchell, a 5-star tight end in the Class of 2025,  has set his commitment date of July 8. Mitchell is visiting Alabama this weekend. Oklahoma appears to be the school to beat for him. 

Tide-Bits 

Edge-rusher Collin Summers, who might be the Crimson Tide's top target for the recruiting Class of 2024, will make his official next weekend, June 16. 

Tavien St. Clair, one of the top quarterback prospects in the Class of 2025, recently picked up an offer from the Crimson Tide and made a swing through the region to visit Alabama and LSU. 

Cornerback Ondre Evans, the top prospect in Tennessee this year, received an offer from Alabama this week.  

Checking Out The Capstone

Alabama football is hosting its second major recruiting weekend of the summer this weekend and with it come seven important class of 2024 official visitors.

• Jordan Seaton, OL, 6-5, 287, Washington, D.C.

• Corian Gipson, CB, 6-0, 170, Lancaster, Tx.

• Demello Jones, S, 6-1, 176, Swainsboro, Ga.

• Daniel Calhoun, OL, 6-6, 355, Marietta, Ga.

• Aeryn Hampton, WR, 5-10, 175, Carthage, Tx.

• Amari Jefferson, WR, 6-1, 195, Chattanooga, Tn.

• Isaia Faga, DL, 6-2, 275, Phenix City, Ala.

It's an important weekend for the Crimson Tide as both Jones and Faga are committed elsewhere. Jones, one of the top safeties in the class is committed to Georgia, while Faga is committed to Utah.

Alabama also plans to host a number of recruits on unofficial visits including current commit Rico Scott. Joining Scott will be tight end Davon Mitchell, linebacker Noah Mikehail, edge rusher Zahir Mathis and edge rusher CJ Jackson. 

The Crimson Tide currently boast eight commitments in the 2024 recruiting class, good enough to be considered the No. 13 overall class and the No. 5 class in the Southeastern Conference.

See Also:

Alabama Football Recruiting Tracker

Alabama Basketball Roster Tracker: 2023 Offseason