By JAMES MADDEN
Alabama has officially signed seven players who are either high school recruits or transfer portal targets, according to a release.
The Tide have now signed four-star forward Tarris Bouie, former our-star forward and NC State transfer Cole Cloer, Mississippi State transfer Jamarion Davis-Fleming, Boise State transfer Drew Fielder, Kentucky transfer Brandon Garrison, four-star guard Jaxon Richardson and four-star guard Qayden Samuels.
Bouie, a 6-foot-6 forward from Charlotte, enters the program as one of the top-ranked small forwards in the class of 2026.
“Tarris Bouie is a versatile scorer who is capable of scoring due to his ability to move very well across the court,” said Alabama head coach Nate Oats in the release. “He is really good defensively with quick hands and is a great lateral and vertical athlete. He is a proven scorer, who is averaging nearly 30 points a game at SPIRE and has shown the ability to put up 40 or 50 points a game. We are thrilled to welcome Tarris and his family to Tuscaloosa.”
Cloer, another native of North Carolina, enrolled at NC State last season after reclassifying, but didn’t appear in a game for the Wolfpack due to redshirting.
“Coming out of high school, Cole proved during EYBL that he was one of the best scorers in the country,” Oats said. “Cole has a great IQ and feel for the game and as a result, he has won at every level he has played at.”
Davis-Fleming appeared in 32 games for one of Alabama’s SEC opponents, Mississippi State, averaging 3.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs.
“Jamarion possesses unbelievable physical tools along with his athleticism and great size,” said Oats. “Jamarion fits our blue collar mentality as he plays with a competitive edge combined with a great IQ.”
Fielder, having spent two earlier seasons of his career with Georgetown, had his best collegiate season at Boise State last year, averaging 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Broncos.
“Drew has really developed in his three years in college and that is due to his amazing work ethic,” Oats said. “Drew has improved his shot making from beyond the arc along with his ability to create and make plays from the perimeter. He is a multi-dimensional big man that can affect winning in many ways.”
Garrison, now set to join the third program of his college career, heads to Alabama after spending one season at Oklahoma State and two at Kentucky.
“Brandon possesses great size and potential due to his great feel inside the paint,” said Oats. “Coming out of high school Brandon was a player that is extremely skilled and has the ability to stretch the floor.”
Richardson, who’s the son of former NBA player Jason Richardson and brother of former Michigan State star and Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson, heads to Alabama after winning a state championship in 2025 alongside the Boozer twins at Columbus HS (FL).
“Jaxon was arguably the best high school athlete in the country and has developed his skill throughout his high school career, turning himself in to a very good basketball player,” Oats said. “Jaxon is extremely skilled and has the ability to be an immediate impact player and affect both sides of the ball.”
Lastly, Samuels enters the program as the No. 2 ranked player in the state of Maryland and one of the top-ranked recruits from the always-competitive DMV area.
“Qayden Samuels is an electric scorer and has proven himself to be one of the best scorers in the country,” said Oats. “Qayden is a very good athlete who plays above the rim and makes good plays with the ball in his hands. His defense has been improving, and we are elated to sign one of the most sought-after players in the country.”
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