Nate Oats clarifies 'effort' comments about Alabama point guard

After Alabama lost point guard Jahvon Quinerly to the transfer portal, the Crimson Tide went and got Aaron Estrada from Hofstra to help replace him. So far, Nate Oats said Estrada has fit in well with his new program and pointed out his tough mentality during SEC media days on Wednesday.

Quinerly left some big shoes to fill after leading Alabama with 3.6 assists per game last season. But Estrada put up impressive numbers at Hofstra last year, as well, as he averaged 20.2 points and 4.3 assists per game. Oats raved about what Estrada’s attitude is bringing to the team, and said doesn’t have to “beg” him to “bring effort every day.”

Wednesday evening, Oats told Nick Kelly of The Tuscaloosa News the point of that comment was to add to the hype around Estrada. He also made it clear he’s grateful for Quinerly’s time at Alabama as he played a big role in the Crimson Tide’s success over the last few years.

“All love for JQ,” Oats told Kelly. “Was just trying to pump up our PG this year and how good he’s been. We had a great run with JQ. We were the #1 team in the country with him. He helped raise our program to unprecedented heights here.”

Quinerly is now at Memphis as a graduate transfer as Alabama lost six total players after last season — three to the NBA Draft and three to the portal. The Crimson Tide had a monster year, finishing with a 31-6 overall record and a 16-2 record in SEC play to not only win the conference title, but enter the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed.

How Nate Oats, Alabama reloaded after some key departures

Oats and the Crimson Tide made some big splashes in the portal by adding Estrada and former North Dakota State forward Grant Nelson. They came in at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively, in the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings.

Alabama also landed the No. 13-ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. The crown jewel of the group is four-star guard Jarin Stevenson, who came in as the No. 21-ranked player in the nation from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Alabama is set to lift the curtain on the 2023-24 season against Nov. 6 against Morehead State at Coleman Coliseum.