Alabama Crimson Tide News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

New Alabama MBB commit tries to model his game off NBA greats

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Sep 10, 2025 10:29 PM ET

Alabama has been known as a football school for many years now, but men's head basketball coach Nate Oats has built quite an impressive program on the hardwood as well.

Oats has gone 145-63 in six seasons as Alabama's head coach, and the Crimson Tide have made the NCAA Tournament for the past five seasons in a row. That includes a Final Four run in 2023-24.

A huge part of Oats' success at Alabama has been his ability to bring in top talent via the recruiting trail and now via the transfer portal, and he and the Crimson Tide just landed an extremely interesting small forward in the 2026 class named Tarris Bouie.

Bouie is a four-star from Geneva, Ohio (SPIRE Academy) who committed on Wednesday to the Crimson Tide over the likes of Mississippi State, Cincinnati, Marquette, Georgetown and others.

It was the connection to Oats that really sold the 4-star on the Crimson Tide.

“I have a very good relationship with Coach Oats. We talk often, and that was the big difference in my decision. He is a genuine guy," he said via Paul Biancardi of ESPN

Breaking: Tarris Bouie, the No. 33 prospect in the SC Next Top 100, tells ESPN that he has committed to coach Nate Oats and Alabama.

Bouie: “I have a very good relationship with Coach Oats. We talk often, and that was the big difference in my decision. He is a genuine guy.” pic.twitter.com/BGfYF2f2Hw
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) September 10, 2025

There was a mutual connection between the coach and player as well, because, as Bouie tells it, Oats seemingly made him feel like quite the priority on the recruiting trail.

"I remember [Nate Oats] being at almost every one of my games,” Bouie said via another ESPNer, Jeff Borzello.

NEWS: Top-35 senior Tarris Bouie has committed to Alabama, he told @PaulBiancardi, giving the Crimson Tide their second top-50 recruit this week. Follows Chris Washington Jr.’s commitment on Monday.

“I remember [Nate Oats] being at almost every one of my games,” Bouie said. pic.twitter.com/IQrNeXi7RJ
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) September 10, 2025

What Crimson Tide are getting in four-star SF Tarris Bouie

Bouie checks in at 6-foot-6, 170 pounds, and he's ranked as the No. 20 small forward in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite. Offensively, he's long and lanky with a nice shot and a smooth touch. On defense, that length makes him very formidable, especially when it comes to getting his hands up and impacting shots.

As far as how he sees his game, he believes he can be the complete package for the Crimson Tide. He has also tried to model his game after some of the greats, like Kevin Durant and Paul George.

“I’m a three-level scorer,” Bouie has told Rivals in the past, according to Joe Tipton. “I rebound, I defend, and try to get my teammates open. Really I try to do anything that helps my team win. I’m getting stronger and I can see that I am jumping higher now, playing more athletic. I watch a lot of Kevin Durant with his mid-range game and Paul George with his pace.”

If Bouie can be even half the player Durant has been in both his college and NBA careers, the Crimson Tide have just picked up a good one.

Speaking of pickups, Bouie is Alabama's second 2026 commitment this week. Earlier, the Crimson Tide picked up a commitment from 4-star small forward Christopher Walker Jr.

Right now, it's a class of two for 'Bama, and it's ranked No. 4 in the country.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: