Coach Nate Oats was in the house to watch 2026 prospects throw down at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. Who are targets for Alabama basketball?
Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats was in the house to watch the top prospects in the country throw down at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam.
The weeklong event in Augusta is a hot spot for the nation's best hoops programs, and Oats spent his weekend making himself visible to elite talent and letting his presence be felt at the Riverview Park venue. Here's a look at who caught his eye over the weekend, according to On3's Joe Tipton.
Tarris Bouie, SG, SPIRE Academy
With a smooth shooting stroke, Bouie is capable of knocking down threes, pulling up off the dribble and finishing strong at the rim. His length and quickness make him a disruptive defender who can guard a variety of positions on the perimeter. SEC programs like Georgia, Missouri and Ole Miss have offered Bouie, but Alabama is the only one to have locked down an official visit with the No. 4 overall player in Ohio.
Cole Cloer, SF, IMG Academy
Prior to announcing his transfer to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. for his senior season, Cloer's rise came in Greensboro, N.C., where he previously attended Caldwell Academy. The four-star Hillsborough native has an NIL valuation of $403k. Coaches like Cloer for his rare blend of size, skill and versatility — a 6-foot-7 wing with a high basketball IQ who can score at all three levels, defend multiple positions and impact the game without forcing plays.
Christian Collins, SF, St. John Bosco
St. John Bosco is best known for being a football factory, but there are more and more marquee names being produced on the court at the academy in Bellflower, Cal. Unranked only a year ago, Collins rocketed to five-star status thanks to his dedication and physical development. At 6-8 with long arms and fluid athleticism, the No. 3 player in the nation plays seamlessly on the wing or in the post and displays defensive versatility with significant upside. Collins' NIL valuation comes out to $1.4 million, per Rivals.
Ikenna Alozie, PG, Dream City Christian
The No. 2 ranked player in Arizona, Alozie is a powerful combo guard with explosive first-step speed. Standing at 6-2 with a lengthy 6-6 wingspan, the five-star gets downhill off the dribble with a burst and finishes through contact with touch and control. His defensive energy and motor also make him a high-value prospect, and see his price tag evaluation come out to $914k.
Qayden Samuels, SG, Bishop McNamara
Samuels offers some built-in advantages like a crafty, confident left-hand and a 6-5, 200 pound frame, but his volume and efficiency as a sharp-shooter are the intangibles that leave coaches drooling. Keen and patient, Samuels creates his own shots, taking advantages of time and spacing to expose mismatches on the floor. The NIL valuation for the top player in Maryland and 15th ranked player in the nation is currently priced by Rivals at $791k.
Brandon McCoy, CG, St. John Bosco
Oats was one of two coaches in to catch McCoy. The other? NC State's Will Wade. Recruiting services anticipate that the No. 2 player in the nation will likely land at Duke, but with back-to-back Elite Eight appearances, the new blood is in a better position to compete with the blue bloods than ever before. Although McCoy has already planned an OV to Durham — and has even teased the Blue Devils as being a package deal with pal Jordan Smith, who attends Paul VI Catholic — high-majors are still vying for the 6-5 prospect who flexes the physical attributes of a wing, but brings the playmaking skills of a point guard. McCoy has received a $1.5 million NIL valuation from Rivals.
Which 2026 prospects from Peach Jam have scheduled official visits to Alabama basketball?
It's no new news that Bouie has planned an official visit to Tuscaloosa for Sept. 6, or that Cloer scheduled an OV to Alabama for Oct. 18. But after the Peach Jam, another prospect is coming to get a taste of the Crimson Tide.
Alozie, who has Arizona, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville and Washington in his Top 8, announced his first official visit would be to Alabama on Sept. 5.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Which 2026 prospects was Alabama basketball's Nate Oats watching at Peach Jam?
Category: General Sports
