COMMIT: Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball Recruiting Update: Decisions

For a team with only one graduating senior, the Crimson Tide will have many new faces hit the hardcourt next season. A few weeks ago, Bamabrave4 recapped a few of the top targets from the juco ranks. For two of those prospects plus a high school senior, decision time comes this week.

GOING PRO OR RETURNING

Rising junior Kira Lewis along with rising seniors John Petty and Herbert Jones have entered their names into the NBA Draft but without signing with an agent. They each have tentatively* until June 3rd to withdraw their names and remain college eligible.

Lewis has been projected as a late-first round to early-second rounder, and may not return to Alabama. Petty has longer odds, being forecasts as a late-second round pick to not being selected at all. It is uncertain what he will do. Jones is not expected to be drafted this year and will likely return.

* NCAA rules state that the deadline to withdraw and return to school is 10 days after the NBA combine (May 19-24). If the combine is postponed, this deadline would likely be pushed back along with it.

DECISION TIME FOR TWO JUCOS

Keon Ellis announces his decision on Sunday. The 6’6” combo guard from Florida SouthWestern State College had finalist of Alabama, Iowa State and Kansas State. Hank South and Tim Watt of 247sports, and Corey Evans of Rivals have projected Ellis to sign with the Tide. He is ranked as the third best juco player in the nation. UPDATE!! ↓

UPDATE II: On Monday, Ellis was named Second Team NJCAA All-American.

Saquan Singleton (Hutchinson C.C.) is set to make his decision on Monday, April 6th at 3pm. He has a Top 5 of Alabama, TCU, New Mexico, Pacific and Kansas State. However, reports have stated that the Crimson Tide has moved on from the 6’6” point guard. He is now trending towards New Mexico. UPDATE: As predicted, he chose the Lobos.

HIGH SCHOOL

Speaking of Bama moving on, it appears that direction could be towards IMG’s Darius Miles. The 6’7” strong forward will be announcing his decision on Tuesday, April 7th at 4pm. He also holds offers from hometown Georgetown, Rhode Island, Seton Hall and Rutgers. One source has Minnesota and Boston College in the mix as well. In the past few days, four recruiting analysts from 247sports and five from Rivals made projections for him to roll with the Tide. At 185 lbs, he may need to put on some weight. UPDATE!! ↓

Basketball Regular Signing Period begins Wednesday, April 15 and ends August 1.

GRAD TRANSFER

Yale graduate transfer Jordan Bruner has announced his top three teams of Baylor, Maryland, and Alabama. The 6’9” forward/center has also filed for consideration into the NBA draft, though he is not projected to be selected as of now. It’s going to be a tough one for Nate Oats and staff to pull this one off but not impossible.

Bruner grew two inches while at Yale and became an All-Ivy League First Team selection while averaging 10.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs this past season. The Yale graduate was born in Oklahoma City and went to high school in Columbia, SC.

UPDATE: Bruner has not announced a decision date, but a family friend has reported he will likely make a decision this week.

SIDE NOTE: Younger brother Tommy Bruner just finished his freshman year as starting point guard for USC-Upstate with 14.0 ppg and 2.3 apg. Tommy is a longtime friend and former high school teammate of Crimson Tide freshman Juwan Gary. The duo won a South Carolina state title in 2018.

(All of the above players are eligible for the upcoming season.)