Alabama basketball rumors: Crimson Tide lead the way in former Kentucky guard’s recruitment

Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide appear to be gaining traction with a standout from Kentucky. That player happens to be Jasper Johnson.

Johnson completed the first year of his collegiate career. He came off the bench throughout his freshman campaign, appearing in 35 of the Wildcats’ 36 games.

However, Johnson decided to put his name in the transfer portal to search for a better fit. Many high-major teams would be in pursuit of his services, with Alabama standing out as a possible destination, per On3 insider Joe Tipton.

“Alabama continues to gain ground with Kentucky transfer Jasper Johnson. The 6-foot-4 freshman guard closely considered the Tide before opting for UK in high school. Nate Oats should like where he is at in this recruitment,” Tipton wrote.

What’s next for Alabama amid Jasper Johnson interest

Nate Oats and Alabama would bolster their overall talent depth by landing Jasper Johnson from Kentucky.

Johnson showcased flashes of his potential as a freshman, averaging 4.9 points and 1.6 assists per game throughout 35 games. He shot 40% from the field, including 34.1% from beyond the arc, and 88% from the free-throw line.

Johnson stands out of a four-star player with a 90 rating on 247Sports, being 20th among combo guards and 137th overall in the transfer class. Coming out of high school, he boasted a 96 score as he ranked third in the state of Georgia, fifth among shooting guards and 24th in the 2025 recruiting class.

“Johnson is a southpaw scoring guard with solid positional size at 6-foot-4, a long 6-foot-8-inch wingspan, and a still lean frame. He’s smooth, slippery, and has extremely soft natural touch in all aspects of his individual offense,” Scouting Director Adam Finkelstein wrote in 2024.

“When Johnson gets going, he can be a microwave type scorer who can get buckets in bunches. The key for him, in addition to building up his body, is being able to impact the game when the ball isn’t in his hands or he’s not in the midst of a scoring outburst.”

Oats will look to continue Alabama’s recent prominence in the NCAA Tournament. They are coming off a solid 2025-26 campaign with a 25-10 overall record, reaching the Sweet 16 of March Madness before losing to eventual champions Michigan.

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