Commitment Analysis: Alabama lands major need out of the portal

Under Nate Oats, Alabama has become a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA Transfer Portal. On Sunday, the Tide flexed their muscles once again by landing one of the top available big men in the portal: Clifford Omoruyi.

Omoruyi chose Bama over a final group that featured Georgetown, Kansas State, and North Carolina. The No. 3 center in the portal visited UNC last, but opted for the Crimson Tide after taking a visit to The Capstone last week.

On3’s Joe Tipton was the go-to person of coverage in Omoruyi’s portal recruitment. Tipton provided updates each step of the way, from his entry into the portal on March 20 to posting his commitment to Alabama today.

Tipton spoke with BamaOnLine about why Omoruyi is a major pickup for Oats and his staff.

“Cliff Omoruyi’s addition for Alabama is massive, figuratively and literally,” Tipton told BOL. “I think he was the missing piece for this Bama team this past season, and could’ve been the difference in them making it to the national championship and potentially even winning the title.”

The magnitude of this portal victory cannot be understated.

In previous portal additions, Alabama has typically been the first and only visit, with a commitment coming either during the trip or shortly thereafter. In Omoruyi’s recruitment, however, it was a battle just to get him on campus; once they did, Bama had to weather the storm as UNC hosted him for a visit just days later.

The Crimson Tide continue to put themselves in a position to win battles against college basketball’s top programs.

“It’s absolutely massive for Alabama,” Tipton said. “They’re able to compete with the blue bloods, and are slowly turning into a blue blood themselves. You will not see top players not considering Alabama anymore with Nate Oats’ success on the court and his ability to produce NBA players. Whether it’s top prospects in the portal or five-star talent, they will all be considering Alabama, along with Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, Carolina, you name it. Bama is now an unofficial blue blood.”

Tipton elaborated on those comments by sharing what the sentiment about Alabama is, from the perspective of elite recruits.

“When I speak to recruits, they have a really strong impression of Nate Oats, Alabama and, specifically, his offense,” Tipton said. “Players love his style of play. A very modern way of playing basketball. Projects toward the NBA, which is what top recruits’ eyes are all set on.”

Clifford Omoruyi fits Alabama perfectly, gives them rim protector presence

Last season, Omoruyi averaged 2.9 blocks per game. In comparison, Bama averaged 4.3 blocks per game as a team last season, with their top rim protector being Grant Nelson (1.7 blocks per game).

Along with this continuing the trend of Alabama competing with blue bloods for top targets, it’s a game-changer for the Tide on the court next season.

“In my opinion, Bama was extremely weak at the five position, especially when it comes to rim protection,” Tipton said. “Cliff fits like a glove. That’s exactly what Bama needed and exactly what they’ll need for the upcoming season to try and make a run back to the Final Four.

Rutgers big man transfer Clifford Omoruyi. (Vincent Carchietta / USA TODAY Sports)

“I see Omoruyi helping Bama in a big way,” Tipton continued. “Just with his ability to block shots and protect the rim. That was one facet that Alabama was missing this past year. Especially in the Final Four going up against UConn’s Donovan Clingan, it makes it tough. But with somebody like Omoruyi in the fold, it makes Alabama that much better. He is the missing piece.”

Alabama has handled roster attrition as well as they possibly could in this day and age of the transfer portal. Omoruyi marks their fourth portal pick up this spring, joining Aden Holloway (Auburn), Chris Youngblood (USF), and Houston Mallette (Pepperdine).

So, where does Tipton believe Sunday’s commitment ranks amongst Oats’ portal additions at Bama?

“Definitely No. 2, right behind Mark Sears a couple of years ago,” Tipton replied. “But definitely the best big man. Omoruyi is such a needed piece for this Bama team, and it makes it all that more important since they needed a big of his caliber.”

Returning to Omoruyi’s skill set, On3 National Basketball Analyst Jamie Shaw got to see him in person at the G-League Elite Camp in Chicago last year. Shaw wrote the following about Omoruyi after his performance in Day One of the campus.

“The activity level of Cliff Omoruyi was non-stop from start to finish,” Shaw wrote at the time. “He moved fluidly on the defensive end, and he was able to affect rebounds both in and out of his area. He is raw on offense, but his explosion can be tough to stop as he gets momentum going toward the basket. Omoruyi had 12 points and 6 rebounds.”

Keep up with the discussion on the addition of Clifford Omoruyi on the BOL Round Table – HERE!

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