Alabama Men’s Basketball Signs Three Top-100 Players

University of Alabama head men’s basketball coach Anthony Grant announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, during the first day of the early signing period.

Guards Justin Coleman (Birmingham, Ala./Wenonah HS), Devin Mitchell (Suwanee, Ga./Collins Hills HS) and Riley Norris (Albertville, Ala./Albertville HS) are each rated as top-100 recruits nationally and slated to join the Crimson Tide on the court for the 2014-15 season.

Alabama’s signing class has received national acclaim, as 247Sports has the Tide’s class ranked No. 21 in the nation, while both ESPN.com (22^nd) and Scout.com (24^th) rank Alabama’s class in its top 25 recruiting poll.

Coleman, a 5-10, 160-pound point guard, helped lead Wenonah to a 34-2 record during his junior season in 2012-13. Under the direction of head coach Cedric Lane and led by Coleman’s play on both ends of the floor, the Dragons captured the 2013 Alabama 5A state championship and finished the year nationally-ranked. For his efforts, Coleman was named to the 2013 Class 5A First Team All-State by AL.com after he averaged 20.3 points, 7.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 steals a game last season.

Coleman is rated by 247Sports.com as the No. 43 prospect in the nation, the ninth-best player in the nation at his position and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Alabama. In addition, Coleman is rated by ESPN.com as the No. 22 in the region and 75^th-best overall player, while both Rivals.com and Scout.com gave him a four star rating.

“There is no other place like the University of Alabama,” Coleman said. “I am excited to get there and most excited about the players I will be playing alongside. I am looking forward to helping take the program to the next level under coach Grant.”

Mitchell will come to Alabama after a standout career at Collins Hill High School under head coach Eric Nathan. During his junior season, the 6-4, 175-pound all-state shooting guard led all Gwinnett County players with 20.2 points per game, while also averaging six rebounds and three assists a contest. In addition, he connected on 42 percent of his three-point attempts. The highlight of his junior season came when he scored a school-record 41 points in the finals of the Gainesville Tournament. Following the season, Mitchell was tabbed to the Gwinnett Daily Post’s Super Six, which profiles the top six players in the county.

A native of Suwanee, Ga., Mitchell is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 57 overall player in the nation, No. 13 shooting guard and No. 2 player in the state of Georgia. Furthermore, ESPN.com rates him as the No. 31 player in the region and No. 6 player in the state of Georgia. Scout.com rates Mitchell as a four-star prospect, while Rivals.com gave him a three-star rating.

“Excited is the word that comes to mind,” Mitchell said. “I can’t wait to start going to school there and I am really looking forward to playing with the guys on team and for the coaching staff. Coach Grant is a great coach and has the program on the rise. I am looking forward to being a part of the success of coach Grant and Alabama basketball.”

Norris, who enters the year at No. 3 on AL.com’s list of the state’s 10 best senior prospects, is a 6-7, 190-pound shooting forward who plays under head coach Patrick Harding at Albertville High School. Coming into his senior year, Norris ranks third on the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s (AHSAA) all-time leading rebounders (1,428) list. He is 393 rebounds shy passing the AHSAA’s all-time leader – former Alabama great Richard Hendrix (1,820). In addition, Norris is currently 16^th on the AHSAA all-time scoring list with 2,450 points during his high school career.

During his junior season, Norris averaged 22.4 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists on his way to first-team all-state honors, as well as being a finalist for the 6A Player of the Year honors. Norris was also selected to the Huntsville Times’ Elite First Team, which encompasses the best players from all divisions in the state of Alabama. He is listed as a four star recruit by ESPN.com, 247Sports, Scout.com and Rivals.com and is rated as a top 100 prospect by all four outlets.

“Alabama was a good fit for me,” Norris said. “I think coach Grant and the rest of the staff will do a great job developing me as a person and a player. The academic side was also an important aspect for more. The better I can do off the court, the better my future will be once the ball stops bouncing. I am excited to be a part of the University of Alabama and the basketball team.”

In addition to the signees, transfers Ricky Tarrant (Tulane) and Michael Kessens (Longwood) will also be eligible to suit up for the Crimson Tide next season. Both Tarrant and Kessens are able to practice with the team this year, but cannot dress out for games due to NCAA transfer rules.