Kira Lewis returns: ‘Bama’s star point guard is coming back

It’s been a great week for new coach Nate Oats’ recruiting at Alabama.

Last week, the head man talked John Petty out of the transfer portal and back on to the roster. Alex Reese, Tevin Mack and Herbert Jones were committed to returning. Two exciting shooters, Jaylen Forbes and Jaden Shackelford, have been visibly excited about joining the Tide and have renewed their commitment. Oats landed big man Raymond Hawkins in Tuscaloosa — despite Hawkins literally never stepping foot here. The Tide is in play for West Virginia transfer PG James Bolden. And it seems increasingly more probable that Trendon Watford is going to be a pickup for ‘Bama.

Despite all of those solid pieces for a very nice foundation, the Crimson Tide was still lacking a trigger man for the offense...until today.

Freshman star point guard Kira Lewis Jr. is returning to Tuscaloosa.

Freshman point guard Kira Lewis tweeted at 5:55 p.m. that he would be staying at Alabama after entering the NCAA’s transfer portal.

This is outstanding news. New coach Nate Oats has described the freshman as “the perfect player” for his offense. After a solid freshman outing, where Lewis averaged 13.5 points and 2.6 assists per game, he will have a lot more weapons in the arsenal to work with, and even more room to improve upon his first campaign.

Lewis had overtures from Duke, Auburn, and Indiana, among other programs. Combined with the other work he’s done on the recruiting trail the past 10 days, this a heady first step for Nate Oats and a Crimson Tide program that he has trending in a decidedly upward direction.

Roll Tide