Remaining 2020 Targets
With one spot remaining on the current roster (barring another transfer) here are two possible players to fill that spot with a short summary:
John Petty
There is still a shot John Petty withdraws from the NBA Draft to return to Alabama for his senior season. Petty is coming off a great junior season where he improved his consistency and his defense. Another year could further improve his draft stock from fringe NBA draft pick-undrafted free agent (based on current mocks) to a solidified NBA pick with another consistent season under Nate Oats. John Petty filling the final roster spot would bring Alabama back the elite shooter and even more depth and lineup flexibility with their scoring wings. Petty returning would solidify the starting lineup with more experience and push the elite scoring ability of either Josh Primo or Jaden Shackelford to a sixth man role.
Nike Sibande
Nike Sibande is a transfer from Miami (OH) that listed Alabama in his top 5 today with Arkansas, Georgia, Xavier, and Georgetown. Sibande is a sit one, play one transfer. He is coming off a career low scoring year at 13.9 PPG with 5.9 RPG on 44/32/82 splits. Sibande is a great athlete who is great at attacking the rim and has potential to be an impact defender if he buys in. Sitting a year will give Sibande to continue to improve his jump shot and continue to mature to lower his turnover numbers. Part of the reason his turnover numbers are higher than ideal is because of the fact Miami (OH) is not a very good team and he had to carry the load more than he would have to at Alabama. Sibande would provide a great scorer for the 21-22 season should Josh Primo be a one-and-done after this season. Landing Sibande would also take a bit of pressure off of the 2021 class as he would fill a scholarship for that season where Alabama is slated to have at least 3 spots barring no draft decisions or transfers (this is not calculating the potential return of John Petty).
It is not out of the question that Alabama could add both Sibande and John Petty should another player transfer. These are the two names for Alabama fans to track over the next couple of weeks. John Petty has until June 15 to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft if he chooses to come back to school. Sibande has not given a timetable for his decision at this point.
Join the discussion below with who you want to see fill this spot, what either of these players would mean for Alabama, or questions on this final roster spot.
Nike Sibande 2019-2020 Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWalqzOFUuo&t=35s
John Petty 2019-2020 Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLILE9ervLo
Is it pretty much a foregone conclusion that Herbert is coming back
Yes, and because of that I included Herb as someone with a roster spot already