Considerable intrigue surrounded Alabama’s 2020 basketball recruiting class. A few late additions pushed the group to No. 12 in the 247Sports rankings -- a group with a notable international flavor.
Canadians Josh Primo and Keon Ambrose-Hylton and Alex Tchikou of France are three of the six program newcomers added for Nate Oats' second season in Tuscaloosa. Speaking to reporters Friday for the first time in months, Oats gave progress reports and updates on the three top prospects.
Primo, the No. 58 overall recruit in the class, is the most game-ready of the group. At 6-foot-6, he’s a combo guard who can handle the ball and shoot. His versatility will be an asset for Jahvon Quinerly, the former 5-star McDonald’s All-American now eligible after sitting out last season.
“JQ is going to play the point guard but Primo is going to be more than capable to play the point, allowing JQ to play off the ball some too and also Primo can make plays,” Oats said. “Pick and rolls, playing at combo guard and that type of thing. I think he’s maybe most ready to play right away. He’s played on the Canadian national team and all that.”
Ambrose-Hylton impressed Oats with his high motor style that fits perfectly in the frantic pace at which Alabama plays. Oats said he’s still “a little bit raw” but has spent the past year working on his shot.
“It’s not the best thing he does but he’s more than capable of making a shot, making a 3,” Oats said. “But he’s all over the energy stuff like the offensive rebounding, running the floor hard, getting his hands on balls, deflections. He’s got good size and athleticism for doing that so he’s going to help us with that and build his way into the skill level stuff as we move on.”
Tchikou is an interesting prospect with huge potential.
The freshman who reclassified to the 2020 class to sign with Alabama played high school basketball last year in Phoenix. Oats likes his size, noting Tchikou is “all off 6-11” with great athleticism.
Oats said the No. 59 overall prospect just “really raw” at this point in his development.
“I mean, he can make 3s, handle the ball,” Oats said. “He just has to get a lot of reps in live action, going against defense, having to make decisions, having to make those reads and that takes time.”
Tchikou chose Alabama over programs like Arizona, Illinois and others in an early July announcement.
“I think he’s going to be a pro when it’s all said and done,” Oats said. “Is he a pro right now? No. He’s got to get action in games, action in practices. He’s just got to play. So, we’re going to go keep playing. He’s got an unbelievable attitude. Work ethic is great. Wants to be in the gym all the time. We love him and his upside is ridiculously high.”
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
"oat" - Google News
September 19, 2020 at 09:18PM
https://ift.tt/2ZSNloy
Nate Oats updates progress of Alabama’s highly-ranked freshmen stars - AL.com
"oat" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2VUZxDm
https://ift.tt/3aVzfVV
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Nate Oats updates progress of Alabama’s highly-ranked freshmen stars - AL.com"
Post a Comment