Alabama Men’s Basketball Adds Third Transfer Portal Commitment
Former NC State small forward Cole Cloer has committed to Alabama, according to Yea Alabama, the university’s NIL collective. He becomes the Crimson Tide’s third transfer portal addition, joining Kentucky center Brandon Garrison and Mississippi State forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming.
Cloer redshirted this season as an early enrollee with NC State and will arrive in Tuscaloosa with four full years of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-8, 190-pound forward was a 2026 recruiting class member and a four-star prospect. He played at IMG Academy and is ranked No. 59 overall nationally, No. 23 among small forwards, and No. 8 in Florida, according to On3.
Before IMG, Cloer spent his junior year at Caldwell Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he helped lead the team to a North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A state championship. He averaged 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
He had also taken official visits to Alabama, Florida, UConn, and Arkansas before ultimately choosing NC State. He visited Tuscaloosa on Sept. 16 during his recruitment cycle, per 247Sports.
Cloer entered the transfer portal following the departure of NC State coach Will Wade to LSU. In a social media post, Cloer thanked the NC State community and said he made the decision after Wade’s exit.
When he originally signed with NC State, Wade praised Cloer’s shooting ability, length, versatility, defensive potential, and offensive upside, calling him a player capable of making an immediate impact.
With Cloer’s addition, Alabama now has 13 scholarship players projected for the 2026–27 season, leaving two remaining roster spots. The transfer portal window runs from April 7 through April 21.
Several Alabama players could still return, transfer, or declare for the NBA Draft, including Aden Holloway, Davion Hannah, Preston Murphy Jr., Amari Allen, London Jemison, Keitenn Bristow, and Collins Onyejiaka.
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