Duke, UNC Battle for $1.8M Alabama Transfer Averaging 11.1 PPG

The Blue Devils and Tar Heels are competing to land the former Crimson Tide big man.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:40pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of color representing the two teams in competition.The battle between Duke and North Carolina for a coveted Alabama transfer highlights the intense recruiting rivalry between the two ACC basketball powers.Durham Today

Duke and North Carolina are reportedly both pursuing the transfer of Alabama forward Aiden Sherrell, who averaged 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game last season. Sherrell, a 6-foot-10 sophomore, is valued at $1.8 million according to On3 and is expected to be a high-impact addition for whichever program lands him.

Why it matters

With Duke preparing to lose star forward Cameron Boozer to the NBA Draft, replacing the future top-5 pick appears to be a top priority for the program. Sherrell would be a valuable addition as an evolving lob threat, efficient finisher around the rim, and rim protector. The battle for Sherrell's services also continues the long-standing recruiting rivalry between Duke and North Carolina.

The details

Sherrell saw a major increase in both role and production from his freshman year at Alabama, when he averaged just 3.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. He officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on Thursday evening. Several high-profile programs have already reached out, including Baylor, Providence, Arkansas, and Indiana. North Carolina head coach Mike Malone has also had a call with Sherrell, and Duke is expected to make a visit to see him on Saturday.

  • Sherrell officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on Thursday, April 13, 2026.
  • Baylor's Scott Drew will make a trip to see Sherrell around noon on Friday, April 14, 2026.
  • Providence's Bryan Hodgson is expected to have dinner with Sherrell on Friday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Aiden Sherrell

A 6-foot-10 sophomore forward who averaged 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game for Alabama last season.

Cameron Boozer

A star forward for Duke who is expected to enter the NBA Draft.

Jon Scheyer

The head coach of the Duke Blue Devils.

Mike Malone

The head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Scott Drew

The head coach of the Baylor Bears.

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What they’re saying

“On3 reported Alabama big man Aiden Sherrell was planning to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal on Monday. On Thursday evening, he officially entered. The 6-foot-10 sophomore had a breakout season for the Tide, averaging 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.”

— Joe Tipton, Reporter

“According to a source close to the situation, Baylor's Scott Drew will make a trip to see Sherrell around noon today, and Providence's Bryan Hodgson is expected to have dinner with him tonight.”

— Joe Tipton, Reporter

What’s next

Sherrell has also completed Zooms with Arkansas and Indiana, and Duke is expected to make a trip to see him on Saturday afternoon/evening. The battle for his services is expected to continue in the coming days and weeks as he weighs his options.

The takeaway

The pursuit of Aiden Sherrell highlights the ongoing recruiting rivalry between Duke and North Carolina, as the two ACC powerhouses look to land a high-impact transfer who could be a difference-maker for their respective programs next season.