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Alabama Jarin Stevenson in portal *Edited- UNC Bound

That’s surprising. I wonder if Bol Bowen committing to Bama scared him off.

The transfer portal is crazy. Now we’re gonna get the second wave of entrants: those that didn’t originally plan to transfer, but now change their mind based on other portal commitments.

I just hope none of our players decide to join that second wave.
 
It was pretty widely assumed before the portal season ever started that they’d have a hard time hanging on to all 3 of Dioubate, Stevenson, and Reid just because of the positional redundancy, but this may be slightly surprising that he’s still leaving after Dioubate already ended up with us.

He’s an intriguing player who’s younger than his two years of experience suggests since he was a reclass, but never really put it all together for Alabama. Great size and showed flashes of being a versatile defender, but doesn’t rebound that well for his size and never really developed an offensive game outside of catch and shoot 3s, which he’s been extremely streaky at. There’s a chance that he still grows into a really solid player for someone, but it’s also possible at this point that he was simply overrated out of high school.
 
They were only going to be able to keep 1 of Reid/Stevenson/Diabate after landing Bol Bowen. They also are bringing in Noah Williamson who is a 7'0 stretch big and have Aiden Sherrell who showed a lot of promise this year returning at 6'11. Throw in they get Wrightsell back after a RS this year-and have added Jalil Bethea this past weekend-their roster is taller/more versatile but replacing Sears.....that will be selling point to keep Philon in school one more year.Know Holloway announced his return but Philon is someone who could give them a different look with is size/athelticism at the PG spot. Have a very underrated recruiting class IMO--like Allen, Hannah and Jemison more than many recruiting people do.
 
It was pretty widely assumed before the portal season ever started that they’d have a hard time hanging on to all 3 of Dioubate, Stevenson, and Reid just because of the positional redundancy, but this may be slightly surprising that he’s still leaving after Dioubate already ended up with us.

Is Reid returning to school?

I didn't really think Stevenson would be affected by Bol Bowen since he is more of a wing. I woud think Mallette and Wrightsell, along with Bethea committing would be more in his role.
 
I can't see Philon returning.
Wouldn't think so but the fact Bama hasn't moved on any PG prospects--tells me it's being seriously considered. Aden Holloway alone isn't going to be good enough for the roster they have--now there's still time in the Portal but you'd want to know this situation clear cut and longer they don't get involved with any PG at all in Portal--then tells me he's seriously thinking of returning as a PG-which is what he'd be playing in NBA eventually no matter when he goes.
 
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They were only going to be able to keep 1 of Reid/Stevenson/Diabate after landing Bol Bowen. They also are bringing in Noah Williamson who is a 7'0 stretch big and have Aiden Sherrell who showed a lot of promise this year returning at 6'11. Throw in they get Wrightsell back after a RS this year-and have added Jalil Bethea this past weekend-their roster is taller/more versatile but replacing Sears.....that will be selling point to keep Philon in school one more year.Know Holloway announced his return but Philon is someone who could give them a different look with is size/athelticism at the PG spot. Have a very underrated recruiting class IMO--like Allen, Hannah and Jemison more than many recruiting people do.
Oats has proven he has an eye for talent so I’m sure their class will be solid.
 
He grew up in Chapel Hill NC, UNC needs big bodies. Oates REALLY tried to stick with him but he lost his shot for the entire season and he let it effect the rest of his game.
Yeah Stevenson was supposed to break out this year, but he was in a positional logjam. And I was getting ready to say, UNC is a joke if they don’t land him. He’d be a significant upgrade in the Withers role.
 
I think Bama kept the most talented guy in Reid. Oates has been elite at talent evaluation I don't see them taking a step back anytime soon. Philon at point full time could make them one of the early favorites.
They are taking a step back this year. Losing Sears alone hurts big time but Nelson, Youngblood , Mo, and Omoruyi will hurt too. I can’t imagine Philon not entering the draft. They will get talent but losing that many guys is tough. They wont be as good as they have been the last two years.
 
Nobody seems to know much about what he’s thinking yet. All 3 options (stay, transfer, or draft) all seem within the realm of possibility.
Rumors swirled at the end of the season that Reid would be gone. He chose Bama when those close to him wanted him elsewhere ($$$). The fact that Stevenson and Dioubote are gone may lend itself to the fact that the powers that be at Bama are making a “strong ass offer” to keep him. I hope that is the case and the same goes for Philon.

With regards to Stevenson, he just wilted this year. The joke around Ttown is that he is 6’10” and plays 6’4”. Routinely plays small down low and botches gimme dunks and layups. Pretty good defender on a team not known for defense and as @crimsoncat mentioned he just hasn’t shown any consistency with his shot which has allowed him to be recruited over. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if this is mutual as Oats likely isn’t happy with his ROI.
 
I think Bama kept the most talented guy in Reid. Oates has been elite at talent evaluation I don't see them taking a step back anytime soon. Philon at point full time could make them one of the early favorites.


Oddly, Reid entered the portal now too. I guess Oats is satisfied with Bethea, Wrightsell, and Mallete on the wing (for now) plus Holloway if Philon returns and the 3 freshmen. Frontcourt-wise, they take a step back too with Bol Bowen Williamson, and Sherrell. With Philon, I'd say they are are Sw16 ceiling, without they are an 8-9 seed, imo.
 
SEC-wise, the portal, along with graduations, has gutted Bama, Auburn, Miss St, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Florida, Georgia, LSU, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Vandy, and obviously A&M. 13 teams.

However, Texas, Vandy, South Carolina, LSU, Georgia, and Bama have restocked their teams. South Carolina and LSU still don't look like tournament teams though.

I'd have the 3 without a lot of flux, UK, Arkansas, Missouri, and the 4 above, in the tournament as of now (obviously UT, Aub, and UF will add to their rosters in the next month too)
 
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