The transfer portal opened about two weeks ago, and Alabama men’s basketball has both given to it and taken from it.
Mouhamed Dioubate, Naas Cunningham and Jarin Stevenson have entered the transfer portal from this past season’s roster. Meanwhile, Alabama has secured Noah Williamson (Bucknell), Taylor Bol Bowen (Florida State) and Jalil Bethea (Miami) from the transfer portal.
Derrion Reid and Labaron Philon have not yet made their decisions for next year official as of publication, but waiting on those decisions, Alabama has about three roster spots left it could fill. It doesn’t necessarily make sense to fill more than 13, even if the new rules allow it. It’s hard enough to keep 12 to 13 scholarship players happy with playing time, much less 15.
So, assuming Alabama adds at least one more, if not more players from the transfer portal, here are a several names to watch near the middle of April.
KeShawn Murphy, Mississippi State
With Dioubate, Stevenson and Grant Nelson gone, the Crimson Tide might look to bolster the forward spot more, in addition to already landing Bol Bowen. Murphy could make sense to help fill the void.
The Mississippi State forward played for Ramsay High School in Birmingham. Murphy spent the past four seasons with the Bulldogs and saw his most action in 2024-25. This past season, he played in 34 games, starting three. He averaged 24 minutes, 11.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 steals per game.
Jaron Pierre Jr., Jacksonville State
The 6-5, 188-pound guard entered the transfer portal and the NBA Draft process. He could be an option for Alabama if circumstances play out where the Crimson Tide needs a guard and the price is right.
Alabama is down at least two guards with Mark Sears and Chris Youngblood having exhausted their eligibility. Philon could end up going pro after his freshman season or he could stay. The door is open for both. Otherwise at guard, Alabama added Jalil Bethea from Miami already and is set to bring back Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Houston Mallette, but the Crimson Tide might need or want to add one more guard.
Rylan Griffen, Kansas
This remains a possibility, but it remains to be seen whether both sides want to make this happen.
Alabama knows him well from his two seasons in the crimson and white, so they know what he does and doesn’t bring . Will his price tag be within the range Alabama wants to pay? And does he fit in the roster the Crimson Tide is trying to build?
Don’t rule this out by any means, but it’s not guaranteed to happen either.
In one season with Kansas, Griffen averaged 20.2 minutes per game, starting 20 of 33 opportunities. He averaged 6.3 points per game, too.
Tyler Betsey, Cincinnati
Alabama recruited him when he was in high school. It’s possible the Crimson Tide looks into him again. He’s a 6-8, 225-pound forward who played in 34 games during his freshman season in 2024-25, averaging 11.1 minutes per game, 3.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.3 assists.
