Alabama’s 2023-24 basketball roster received a major jolt when North Dakota State transfer Grant Nelson announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide over Arkansas. Nelson ranks No. 50 in the CBS Sports Transfer Rankings after earning first-team All-Summit League honors during a breakout junior season with the Bison.
The 6-foot-10 forward also went through the NBA’s pre-draft process before opting to remain in college basketball and becoming one of most highly sought players late in the 2023 transfer cycle. Nelson averaged 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for for NDSU this past season. As a career 30.7% 3-point shooter, Nelson has also flashed the ability to stretch defenses with his outside shot.
At Alabama, he will be charged with helping restock a front court losing dynamic forwards Brandon Miller and Noah Gurley as well as center Charles Bediako to the NBA Draft. The Crimson Tide are returning veteran guards Mark Sears and Jahvon Quinerly from last season’s SEC regular season and tournament-winning team. But Nelson will be among several new faces logging minutes for Alabama.
In addition to Nelson, the Crimson Tide landed No. 28 ranked transfer Aaron Estrada from Hofstra and All-Big West guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. from Cal State Fullerton. A trio of true freshmen could also work their way into the rotation.
More than 1,700 Division I players hit the portal before the entry deadline for non-graduates and some have yet to announce their destination. Here at CBS Sports, we have distilled the massive number of transfers to a list of the top 50 names to know and are tracking their decisions.
1. Hunter Dickinson
Old school: Michigan | New school: Kansas
Dickinson is one of the best big men in college basketball. At 7-foot-1 and with a well-built frame, he can outmuscle most opponents on the block, protect the rim and rebound. He also continued demonstrating the ability to hit 3-pointers…
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