Nate Oats comments on finalizing 2023 Alabama signing class

Alabama basketball’s 2023 signing class is locked in. On Thursday, head coach Nate Oats discussed the impressive group.

“I am very proud of our coaching staff in being able to bring in not only high quality players, but high character kids that will add value to our program. We put an emphasis on adding veteran leadership and both our incoming freshmen and transfers have all played in big and meaningful games. We are excited to welcome both them and their families to the Alabama basketball program,” Oats wrote in a statement.

While the Crimson Tide has four freshmen commits, only two have signed national letters of intent. The first is Sam Walters. The 6-foot-9 power forward is a four-star recruit and No. 69 player in the Class of 2023, according to On3 Industry Ratings.

Walters is joined by Mouhamed Dioubate. Standing at 6-foot-7, Dioubate provided Alabama with even more length. Dioubate is the fourth-best prospect exiting New York. Four-star recruits Jarin Stevenson and Kris Parker are yet to sign with Alabama officially, but are hard commits.

Luckily for the Crimson Tide, Oats boasts more than a couple of freshmen. Alabama’s 2023 signing class also includes transfers Aaron Estrada, Grant Nelson, Mohamed Wague and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Estrada and Nelson highlight the group.

Estrada is the back-to-back CAA Player of the Year and, further, the No. 10 returning scorer in Division I. Last season at Hofstra, Estrada averaged 20.2 points per game, which ranked No. 22 in Division I, along with 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

“Aaron is an experienced, two-way lead guard that comes from a culture of winning at Hofstra. He has led his teams to multiple 20-win seasons and has been CAA Player of the Year in back-to-back years. He has great pace to his game and his ability to make open shots allows him to play multiple guard positions. His game will translate well to the SEC,” Oats wrote about Estrada.

Perhaps Nelson is an even better pickup. Ranked as the No. 6 transfer by On3, Nelson averaged 19.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.1 steals per game last season, leading NDSU in every category.

“Grant is joining us after having a storied career at North Dakota State. He has an unbelievable skill set at 6-11, which allows him to play any position on the court and will allow us to be multidimensional on both ends of the floor. He is an extremely hard worker with a blue-collar mentality that fits perfectly with the culture we have here,” Oats wrote.

Crimson Tide fans must wait a bit longer before discovering how far that culture can take the team this season. Nonetheless, there will be no shortage of excitement after Oats led Alabama to the Round of 16 last season.