Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

Alabama Receives Exciting News on Freshman Forward

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nazario Pangallo | Last updated Apr 5, 2025 1:06 PM ET

On Friday, Alabama received its first brutal blow from the transfer portal, with forward Mouhamed Dioubate announcing that he was entering the portal. Dioubate was a defensive menace, grabbing 5.9 rebounds per game while also averaging 0.7 steals and 0.9 blocks per game on just 16 minutes per game.

Saturday brought the bright side to Friday's dark night as Alabama received confirmation that freshman forward Aiden Sherrell will be returning for his sophomore season.

Sherrell announced on Instagram that he will be, "running it back," after a freshman season in which he played in 36 of the Tide's 37 games.

Averaging 8.8 minutes per game, Sherrell put up 3.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 33.3% from behind the arc. Sherrell's top-scoring game of the season came on February 1. Against Georgia, Sherrell dropped 12 points snatching seven rebounds and burying a pair of 3s.

During the NCAA Tournament, the former five-star recruit showed his potential by knocking down four three-pointers against Duke and BYU while playing just nine minutes in each game.

With the losses of center Clifford Omoruyi and forward Grant Nelson, who both are out of eligibility, Sherrell will have to step into a bigger role in the 2025-26 season. Alabama added some needed front-court help through the transfer portal with the additions of forward Taylor Bol Bowen and center Noah Williamson.

Bol Bowen played at Florida State during his first two collegiate seasons where he averaged eight points and knocked down 41.4% of his 3s during his sophomore season. Williamson is a former Patriot League Player of the Year, where the 7-footer scored 17.6 points per game and 7.6 rebounds during his final season at Bucknell.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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