Alabama earned a four-star PF commitment on Wednesday Yaren Stephensonfrom Advertise on social media It reclassifies to the 2023 tournament and joins the Crimson Tide. Ranked 22nd in the 2024 recruiting cycle by 247Sports, Stevenson selected Alabama over North Carolina and Virginia. He played high school basketball at Seaforth High School in Pittsboro, NC, which is located 16 miles from Chapel Hill. Stephenson was the Tar Heels’ first prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle.
Stevenson’s commitment is a big win for Alabama coach Nate Oates. The Crimson Tide has lost Brandon Miller, Noah Clooney, and Charles Pediaco through 2023 NBA Draftso Stevenson will have an opportunity to compete for minutes as a true freshman.
Alabama is still in the running with Arkansas for North Dakota State PF Grant Nelson. If Nelson sticks with Alabama, it could affect Stephenson’s starting role in the season. Oats has been busy in the transfer gate, too, landing Hofstra guard Aaron Estrada and California State guard Fullerton Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Estrada is a two-time Colonial Sports Association Player of the Year, and Wrightshell earned All-Big West honors last season.
Alabama has returned guard Jahvon Quinerly, who was the SEC’s sixth co-Man of the Year last season. After starting just five games, he’s also expected to get a bigger role after opting to go back to school.
Stevenson adds to Alabama’s strong recruiting class of 2023 that already includes three four-star prospects in Sam Walters, Chris Parker and Mohamed Diopat. With the amount of talent Oats has reached via high school recruiting and the transfer portal, Oats should have another stacked slate heading into the year.