2013 Basketball Signing Day Wednesday

The Crimson Tide had only ten scholarship players on the roster this past season (???) out of 13 allowed by the NCAA. The departures of Moussa Gueye and Andrew Steele leave them with five openings.

In the early signing period for men's basketball (November 14, 2012), Coach Anthony Grant signed C/F Jimmie Taylor (Greensboro, AL, 6-9/225) and PF Shannon Hale (Arden, NC, 6-7/205).

The regular signing period begins April 17, 2013 and ends May 15, 2013. You may recall there was some drama this time last year as to whether Grant could land McDonald's All-American Devonta Pollard. There may be drama this year but it should be on a smaller scale.

Algie Key, a 6-4/180 guard from a Kansas Juco (originally from Atlanta), has committed to Alabama and should sign on Wednesday. As a sophomore, Key averaged 17.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. The Junior College All-American chose Bama over TCU, UGA, and Missouri State.

As previously reported, former Tulane guard Ricky Tarrant has committed to transfer to the Tide but he’ll have to sit out next season. He can still practice with the team and will count against the 2013-2014 scholarship limit.

That leaves one scholarship still available. If history is any indicator, Grant may not use it.

Another possibility is point guard Jaren Sina (6-2/175) who had committed to Alabama over two years ago. He later decommitted followed by a commitment to Northwestern. He opened his recruiting back up when the Wildcats recently fired their coach and made an official visit to Tuscaloosa last week. Also in the running for the Gladstone, NJ point guard is Indiana, Seton Hall, and Northwestern. It looks like he will sign with Seton Hall.

UPDATE: One last possibility is Devin Langford who is transferring away from Illinois. The 6'7 Huntsville (Lee) native signed with the Illini in 2011.The Tide could use some size but I don't know if he is even on Grant's radar.