Bama Article on nates new players{Holloway}

[aubiefifty 18,113]

 

al.com

 

Alabama announces addition of 5 players; What Nate Oats said about each

Updated: May. 24, 2024, 6:11 p.m.|Published: May. 24, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

4–5 minutes

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Alabama players fire up Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at Final Four in Phoenix

By

• Nick Alvarez | nalvarez@al.com

Alabama’s five transfers are now officially part of the Crimson Tide.

The program announced the addition of the new players expected to be major contributors to UA’s follow-up to a Final Four run. Overall, head coach Nate Oats said he was “thrilled” with the acquisitions, which included three highly-rated freshmen. Alabama also managed this group with a new coaching staff; Oats had to refill his bench after all three assistants became head coaches. This year, one assistant, Austin Clunach, departed to run UTSA.

Per 247Sports rankings, Alabama’s class is ranked second behind Duke. The Blue Devils are welcoming five five-star prospects. UA’s additions include four transfers and a late flip from the high school ranks: Aden Holloway (Auburn), Houston Mallette (Pepperdine), Chris Youngblood (South Florida), Clifford Omoruyi (Rutgers) and Labaron Philon (freshman native of Mobile).

Here’s what Oats said about each new Crimson Tide player, via a release provided by UA:

On Youngblood, who is returning home to Tuscaloosa: “Chris is a proven winner who was the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year who is a knock down shooter and an unbelievable shooter of the catch. He is an exceptional downhill driver who can make explosive plays at the rim and is a relentless worker.”

On Philon, who spent his high school years at Baker and Link (Missouri) Academy: “Labaron is an explosive combo guard that is dynamic in the open floor and can play above the rim. He shot over 40 percent from three in his high school career and is a tenacious competitor and we are excited to him have [sic] in our program.”

On Omoruyi, who set records at Rutgers: “Cliff has arguably been one of the best shot blockers in the country and in the Big Ten over the last 25 years. He is a guy that will anchor our defense and has a great offensive skillset that we will be able to showcase. He is an exceptional athlete with a 7′6 wingspan and overall an elite athlete that will be a great addition to our team.”

On Holloway, who arrived on the Plains as a five-star recruit: “Coming out of high school as a McDonald’s All-American, Aden was one of the best shooting point guards in the country, all throughout his high school career. He has the ability to shoot it from deep, while being able to get into the paint and make plays. Defensively he can guard and keep people in front of him. He has a very special brand of skill, talent and hard work.”

On Mallette, who’s already scored over 1,000 points in his career: “Houston is such a versatile guard with length and has unique play making skills. He can guard one through four and is a knock down shooter. He can make the open shots, get his teammates involved being a combo guard and make a multitude of plays due to his IQ on the court. Like all of our signees, he has a great team-first mindset and will be a great two-way player.”

The Tide still awaits the decision of Mark Sears, its elite point guard who’s contemplating a future in the NBA Draft. Sears, who has a set of final workouts with NBA teams before the May 29 eligibility deadline, could make UA an odds-on favorite for a national championship.

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if yall are not interested in this let me know.serious.

[LPTiger 5,455]

I'm really surprised he didn't take a shot at us like "at his prior school, he wasn't put in a great position to succeed."    Maybe Nate is maturing?