Five 2025 Alabama basketball prospects to know ahead of big-time recruiting weekend

September 30, 2024 Kerry Will College Football 0

Alabama basketball’s 2025 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 4 in the On3 industry rankings.

Four-star recruits Amari Allen and London Jemison have committed to the returning Final Four team with a resounding “Roll Tide.” Several potential recruits could elevate the Crimson Tide’s upcoming class of prospects to the top spot.

Say hello! Introducing Emilee Smarr, the new Alabama basketball reporter for The Tuscaloosa News.

On the recruiting front: The Alabama basketball 2025 class has added another four-star prospect, London Jemison.

During a radio segment on Hey Coach, Alabama coach Nate Oats generated excitement among fans regarding the program’s 2024-25 roster.

“We have the most depth we’ve had since I arrived here,” Oats stated. “It’s a luxury, but it also presents a challenge in managing playing time. However, I believe we have fantastic players who are focused on winning.”

Such glowing remarks make it hard to believe the 2024 class has yet to step onto the court in Tuscaloosa. Furthermore, the next wave of players could potentially elevate the Alabama team beyond what has been projected thus far.

Five 2025 prospects to know for Alabama basketball.

Mikel Brown, Jr.

With exceptional skills, particularly with his left hand, and a strong basketball IQ, Brown quickly became a highly regarded prospect early in his career. Recently, a growth spurt has further enhanced his recruitment, as he now stands at 6-foot-3 with a 6-6 wingspan and has received offers from 26 schools, including Kentucky, Indiana, UCF, and Ole Miss.

Although Brown possesses a natural talent for reading the game and delivering precise passes to his teammates, he sometimes struggles to maintain his position, which can affect his shooting consistency. Spending time in the weight room to build strength on his 165-pound frame will be crucial for meeting the expectations of college coaches.

AJ Dybantsa
School: Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah)
Position: Shall forward
Rating: 5-star

The potential for Dybantsa continues to rise. As a projected first-round draft pick, he combines a solid 200-pound frame with his 6-9 height, along with an impressive pull-up shooting ability characterized by a high release that is seldom disrupted.

Currently, he has 29 scholarship offers available, with Auburn, Baylor, Brigham Young, North Carolina, Kansas, and Kansas State making up the final seven contenders. Alabama also remains in the mix, having hosted Dybantsa for an official visit last September.

Meleek Thomas
School: Overtime Elite (Atlanta)
Position: Shooting guard
Rating: 5-star

Alabama’s coaching staff is very enthusiastic about this 6-4, 175-pound scoring machine. Thomas is ranked as the 11th-best recruit in the nation and holds the title of the top shooting guard. He began his official visit tour in Auburn last January, then traveled to Kentucky and UConn before arriving in Tuscaloosa in September.

Securing Thomas might involve a package deal, as the Crimson Tide coaching staff is also interested in several of his four-star teammates at Overtime Elite. Alongside Thomas, Alabama has extended offers to 6-9 power forward Bryson Tiller, 6-5 small forward Efeosa Oliogu, and 6-2 point guard Tyler Jackson.

This weekend, Thomas is set to join Dybantsa and top 15 combo guard Brayden Burries in Tuscaloosa, where the city will be bustling with fans—and Donald Trump—attending Kalen DeBoer’s first in-conference game against Georgia.

Jaden Toombs
School: Dynamic Prep (Dallas)
Position: Center
Rating: 4-star

The Crimson Tide has its sights set on Francis Chukwudebelu, a center from Argyle High in Texas. However, the 6-10, 220-pound player appears to be leaning towards programs like Kansas and Michigan State. He was also recruited by former assistant Bryan Hodgson, who is now in his second season at Arkansas State, although the Red Wolves have not yet extended an offer to Chukwudebelu.

Fortunately, Alabama is aware of another talented big man located about an hour away in Dallas.

Toombs stands at 6-10 and weighs 245 pounds, boasting an impressive 7-3 wingspan and a standing reach of over 9 feet. While his size is certainly a significant advantage, it is his exceptional decision-making that truly sets him apart. In addition to his rebounding prowess, he has demonstrated his ability to be a solid passer, averaging 2.1 assists per game with minimal turnovers. Focusing on improving his athleticism and mobility during his senior year could help Toombs rise from his current position as the seventh-ranked center in the nation and the No. 48 overall recruit.

Toombs is set to announce his college choice at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, with options including the Crimson Tide, Miami, SMU, Texas Tech, and Vanderbilt.

Caleb Wilson
School: Holy Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta)
Position: Power forward
Rating: 5-star

Pairing Wilson in the frontcourt with Jemison on the wing could create a formidable challenge for Alabama’s opponents in the coming seasons. Standing at 6-9 and weighing 205 pounds, Wilson embodies the ideal attributes for his position, while also being raw and highly coachable. Adding more strength to his frame could transform him into the classic power forward that Alabama has been missing.

Should Wilson decide to join the Crimson Tide, it remains to be seen how a coach like Oats could develop him. He has the potential to become a player similar to Chris Bosh, which is a comparison often made about him. However, securing the No. 1 recruit from Georgia will be a competitive endeavor.

Last July, Wilson listed his Top 12 schools, which include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, UCF, and USC. In September, he made an official visit to Kentucky and received two visits from Kentucky coach Mark Pope before concluding his college tour at Alabama the following month.

Anticipate the Wildcats to intensify their pursuit of Wilson in the coming months, especially after four-star recruit and former Alabama target Braylon Mullins decommitted from Kentucky, narrowing his options down to Indiana, UConn, and UNC.

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