4-star forward Sam Walters commits to Alabama

Four-star Sam Walters has committed to Alabama for the class of 2023, he tells On3.

The 6-foot-9 combo forward out of The Villages (Fla.) Charter School is fresh off his official visit to the Tide and is heading back home with a pledge to Nate Oats. He is Alabama’s first commitment to the 2023 class.

Walters received other offers from schools such as Tennessee, LSU, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, and others, but Alabama was the only school he made a trip to visit. After a single stop, Walter is now committed to the Crimson Tide.

Walters is ranked as the No. 97 overall prospect in the class of 2023, according to the On3 Consensus — a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3’s evaluators are much higher on Walters, ranking him 73rd overall in the class.

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Walter talks fit and becoming a pro at Alabama

Alabama’s style of play and the fit were one of the main deciding factors for Walter.

“Alabama’s system really fits me,” he says. “They run a dribble-drive type system, where even the taller guys like me can handle the ball, shoot, pass, and make plays. That’s exactly how I want to play. I don’t want to be just a catch-and-shoot guy or a guy that just stands in the corner.

“At my high school right now, we run the same system as Alabama, so it’s kind of full circle. That’s how I know I’m going to fit here. It’s funny because we have a picture of Coach Oats in our locker room at my school and it’s been up since I was a freshman.”

Walter believes Alabama can help also him become a pro.

“The coaching staff matches my vision. They think I’m underrated and that’s okay but I want to be a pro and they’re going to help me get there. They matched my vision of someone who’s going to push me to be a pro and they think I have a real chance. That was their pitch to me, as well as being able to do what I need to do, and play how I want to play.”

Walter draws comparisons to Herb Jones

Walter says the Alabama coaching staff compares him to former Bama star Herb Jones, a huge compliment in itself. Now playing with the New Orleans Pelicans, Jones won SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.

“The staff compares me to Herb Jones. They put up film of each of us and showed how similar we are.”

Walter’s visit to Alabama really sold him on the program and he’s leaving Tuscaloosa a committed man.

“(The visit) was everything I was looking for, plus more,” he explained. “The campus here is amazing. Seeing everyone around the facilities, the people are all really nice. It’s a place I can feel comfortable. 

“It’s also in a really good conference, the SEC. They’re a growing program, top-25 for multiple years, and they have a lot of pros. That’s what really made it attractive to me. 

“Bama just feels like the perfect fit for me and I’m just excited to get started.”

Watch Walters highlights below.

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Walters Scouting Summary

“Lefty, Sam Walters has good size and length and is skilled. He can push the break and make a play under control. Walters can line up at multiple spots on the floor. He can create out of the high post, play as a pick and pop big, or create as a true wing. There are lateral questions there, would like to see him get more consistency shooting – but he can knock down catch and shoot threes. There is a lot of fluidity in the way he moves and skill in his handle and ability with the ball in his hands. Already a top 100 prospect, there is an upside there for continued growth.” – On3’s Jamie Shaw, National Recruiting Analyst