Alabama Basketball Eyes Transfer Portal Reinforcements

Crimson Tide look to add impact players at guard and forward positions

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:05pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping scenes of a college basketball game, capturing the dynamic energy and movement of the sport.Alabama looks to the transfer portal to bolster its roster and maintain its status as an SEC contender.Jacksonville Today

With several key players departing, Alabama basketball is expected to be active in the NCAA transfer portal over the coming weeks. The Crimson Tide are targeting a mix of familiar faces and new talent to bolster their roster for the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters

Alabama is looking to reload after losing multiple contributors to graduation and the NBA draft. Adding experienced transfers could help the Crimson Tide maintain their status as a top program in the SEC and contend for a conference title.

The details

Alabama is expected to pursue several players currently in the transfer portal, including guards and forwards who could make an immediate impact. The team has previously recruited some of these players and is hoping to bring them in to fill key roster needs.

  • The NCAA transfer portal window opened on April 1, 2026.
  • Alabama will have until May 15, 2026 to finalize its roster for the upcoming season.

The players

Jasper Johnson

A former top high school recruit who spent his freshman season at Kentucky, averaging 4.9 points per game.

Magoon Gwath

A 7-foot forward who was the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year at San Diego State.

Cade Phillips

An Alabama native and legacy player who spent the last three seasons at Tennessee before an injury-shortened 2025-26 campaign.

Mouhamed Dioubate

A forward who began his college career at Alabama before transferring to Kentucky, where he averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season.

Drew Scharnowski

The brother of former Alabama player Max Scharnowski, Drew is a Belmont transfer who earned First Team All-MVC and MVC All-Defense honors last season.

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What they’re saying

“Jasper Johnson is a player who the Crimson Tide were heavily in the mix for coming out of high school a year ago before he spent his freshman season at Kentucky.”

— Matt Melton, Author

“Landing an impact player in the frontcourt this offseason could be a priority for Alabama, with Gwath an intriguing 7-foot forward who can stretch the floor offensively, as well as blocks shots inside as the former MWC Defensive Player of the Year.”

— Matt Melton, Author

What’s next

Alabama will continue to evaluate transfer portal options over the next several weeks as they look to finalize their roster for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

By targeting experienced transfers at key positions, Alabama is aiming to quickly reload and maintain their status as one of the top programs in the SEC. The Crimson Tide's ability to land impactful portal additions could be crucial to their championship aspirations next season.