- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,257,134
- Reaction score
- 59
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats has set the record straight on whether the Crimson Tide will be chasing Class of 2022 student-athletes after a recent ruling in Colorado made it possible for those players to have extended eligibility.
In a recent survey of college hoops coaches around the country by 247Sports, Oats said, "At this point, our roster's pretty well set and our money's gone, so I'm not really going to do anything."
Alabama was said to have interest in former Drake forward Isaiah Carr and ex-Michigan State center Jaxon Kohler following the the federal court ruling on July 31. However, Oats' outlook made it clear that the Crimson Tide − which found itself in the middle of an eligibility lawsuit earlier in 2026 with the mid-season addition of Charles Bediako − is erring on the side of caution.
REQUIRED READING: Five recruiting bits to know for Alabama basketball as August begins
LOOKING AHEAD: Predictions for Alabama men's basketball 2026-27 nonconference slate
"I think some teams held spots and money in case this happened, and they're probably going to benefit from it," Oats continued. "You just assume they're not going to change the rules after everybody is done putting their teams together, but I guess that's not a safe assumption anymore."
Alabama made its most recent roster addition on July 20, picking up 7-foot Canadian center TJ St. Louis, who will be a freshman on this year's squad.
"It seems like now they're just asking for lawsuits every which way possible to create chaos to make Congress pass legislation. Why else would you pass that new rule in the beginning of summer and not in the fall?" Oats said.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nate Oats clears air on whether Alabama basketball will pursue Class of 2022 athletes
Continue reading...
In a recent survey of college hoops coaches around the country by 247Sports, Oats said, "At this point, our roster's pretty well set and our money's gone, so I'm not really going to do anything."
Alabama was said to have interest in former Drake forward Isaiah Carr and ex-Michigan State center Jaxon Kohler following the the federal court ruling on July 31. However, Oats' outlook made it clear that the Crimson Tide − which found itself in the middle of an eligibility lawsuit earlier in 2026 with the mid-season addition of Charles Bediako − is erring on the side of caution.
REQUIRED READING: Five recruiting bits to know for Alabama basketball as August begins
LOOKING AHEAD: Predictions for Alabama men's basketball 2026-27 nonconference slate
"I think some teams held spots and money in case this happened, and they're probably going to benefit from it," Oats continued. "You just assume they're not going to change the rules after everybody is done putting their teams together, but I guess that's not a safe assumption anymore."
Alabama made its most recent roster addition on July 20, picking up 7-foot Canadian center TJ St. Louis, who will be a freshman on this year's squad.
"It seems like now they're just asking for lawsuits every which way possible to create chaos to make Congress pass legislation. Why else would you pass that new rule in the beginning of summer and not in the fall?" Oats said.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nate Oats clears air on whether Alabama basketball will pursue Class of 2022 athletes
Continue reading...
