The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball program is on the rise after head coach Nate Oats won the SEC regular season and tournament championship in just his second season in charge in Tuscaloosa. Oats has carried the in-season momentum right into the offseason by cleaning up in recruiting and in the transfer portal.

On Sunday, the Crimson Tide landed prominent transfer forward Noah Gurley out of Furman University. The 6-foot-8 forward out of Fayetteville, GA averaged 15.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this past season for the Paladins. His efforts earned him Second Team All-Southern Conference last season.

Gurley becomes the second major transferee to choose to join the Crimson Tide, following former Texas Tech guard Nimari Burnett last week. Alabama is now two scholarships over the limit of 13 meaning Oats and his staff will have to do some roster management prior to the upcoming season.

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The forward is no stranger to Tuscaloosa, having played against the Tide the last two seasons. Gurley and the Paladins lost to Alabama in Bad Boy Mowers Battle for Atlantis in 2019, he scored seven points and got four rebounds as well as contributing two blocks and two steals. The transfer scored 15 points hauled in three rebounds as well as a block in a three-point loss to the Crimson Tide in 2020.

Gurley chose Alabama over several other suitors including Florida, Miami, Auburn, Marquette and San Diego State.

Oats has hauled in the No. 3 recruiting class and now brought in two premier transfers to add to the class. Year two was already impressive for Oats but year three looks to be even brighter.

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