Alabama Crimson Tide Recruiting Update: Basketball Early Signing Period

The Early Signing Period for Division I Basketball has expired and Alabama has signed one for the Class of 2020. Ball & Oats fans should be very excited about the addition of Keon Ambrose-Hylton to the program for two reasons: First, the 6-8/200 lbs. forward will fill a position of need for the Crimson Tide. He is a big man that can run and also shoot the three. Those qualities fit the offensive scheme that coach Nate Oats is trying to install at the Capstone.

The second benefit of signing this 4-star Canadian is the potential pipeline Oats is establishing. Assistant coach Bryan Hodgson originally traveled to Toronto’s Andrews Osborne Academy to scout 6-11 center Charles Bediako. Then by happy accident, he saw Ambrose play and quickly offered him a scholarship. Teammate Bediako is also a major target of the Tide. This 40th overall ranked player for the Class of 2021 could potentially reclassify to 2020. As you can see in the video below, he has a nice skill set for a big man and will just get better. An LSU analyst and an Arizona State analyst for 247sports have both predicted him to sign with Alabama. However, he did officially visit Michigan State this past weekend.

James “Beetle” Bolden is the only senior on the Crimson Tide, thus Oats was only allowed to sign one recruit during the ESP.

“We only have one senior, so essentially there’s one scholarship,” Oats said. “We all know in today’s game, there’s going to be more than that. We’re not done recruiting in 2020. We were going after multiple guys, missed on a few. Really happy with Keon. We put a lot of emphasis on him. There’s a few more Canadians that Keon knows well, and with recruiting now, some guys team up on a team. We’re going to go after some more guys in 2020.”

With the way that college sports are today, there will likely be a few more departures from the team after the season has ended. Kira Lewis, for one is getting a lot of attention from NBA scouts. The Regular Signing Period lasts from April 15, 2020 to May 20, 2020.

VISITS

High 4-star point guard Daeshun Ruffin (Jackson, MS) was on official visit to see the Tide take on Furman on Tuesday. He is ranked No. 26 overall for the 2021 class. The 5-9, 160-pound prospect was looking like an Ole Miss lean when he OV’d Oxford last month. However, Alabama now appears to be in a dead heat with the Rebels for his signature.