- Updated: Apr. 07, 2023, 8:04 p.m.
- Published: Apr. 07, 2023, 3:30 p.m.
As part of its roster reconstruction ahead of the 2023-24 season, Alabama men’s basketball will likely pull in a player or two from the portal.
Kel’el Ware, a seven-footer and former McDonald’s All-American, seemed like an option for a few hours on Friday. After Joe Tipton of On3 reported Ware would visit Tuscaloosa on Saturday, other outlets including Tipton revealed the trip had been canceled.
Ware spent the last two days visiting Indiana. Alabama also lost its third assistant coach as Antoine Pettway accepted the head coaching role at Kennesaw State.
The latest potential transfer would’ve helped fill the need at center should Charles Bediako remain in the NBA Draft pool. Ware totaled 15.8 minutes per game as a freshman, averaging 6.7 points and 4.0 rebounds a game. Ware started four-straight contests to start the Ducks’ conference schedule but didn’t find a consistent role as Oregon made a run to the NIT quarterfinals.
Ware is from North Little Rock, Arkansas, and was the 7th-rated overall prospect in the class of 2022 after winning back-to-back state titles. He chose Oregon over Arkansas, Kansas, Texas A&M, Missouri, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Oral Roberts, Florida and Auburn. 247 listed Ware as the No. 2 option in the transfer portal, behind former-Michigan big Hunter Dickinson.
Denver Jones, a transfer guard from FIU with both Alabama and Auburn among his final six candidates, is hoping to be in Tuscaloosa soon ahead of his decision. Stretch forward BJ Mack from Wofford is considering Alabama for his last season of eligibility and will visit next weekend.
Alabama’s frontcourt could look widely different next winter. Noah Clowney is a projected first-round selection in the NBA Draft. Bediako has until May 31 to return to college and forgo the pro route. Two of Alabama’s three incoming freshmen, four-stars Sam Walters and Mouhamed Dioubate, can earn minutes too.
Alabama has lost three players to the transfer portal, one of which is a former five-star McDonald’s All-American in Jaden Bradley. Another guard, Nimari Burnett, has already committed to Michigan. The Tide has pulled in one player in Wichita State scoring guard Jaykwon Walton.
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This post was updated once news of Ware’s cancellation was reported.
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at NAlvarez@al.com.
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