Nate Oats on the Addition of Taylor Bol Bowen

The Alabama men's basketball program faced a significant challenge entering the 2025 season after losing three of its tallest players. The Crimson Tide saw departures from 6-foot-11 forward Grant Nelson and 6-foot-11 center Clifford Omoruyi, both of whom exhausted their eligibility, and 6-foot-11 forward Darin Stevenson, who decided to enter the transfer portal.

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With the departure of those players, the Crimson Tide was left with a noticeable gap in size and rim protection, an area that had been key to the team's success under head coach Nate Oats. Oats and his staff knew they needed to replenish their frontcourt with a player who could bring both length and versatility.

Their search led them to Taylor Bol Bowen, a 6-foot-10 forward transferring from Florida State. Bowen's blend of size, athleticism, and skill fit the profile Oats was looking for in a modern stretch big man.

On Monday, Oats told media members why he decided to bring Bowen to Alabama.

"He shot 41% from three at Florida State. Spacing four. He's also versatile. He can play small-ball five. Our fours are more like guards. I think he's smart, he can handle it, get a rebound, push it up the floor. He plays to our speed. 6-10 guy who can handle the ball and push it up the floor, space the floor, shoot the threes."

Oats also referenced Alabama's past success with athletic bigs, pointing to Noah Clowney and Charles Bediako as examples of how length and mobility can elevate both sides of the ball.

"When we've had the bigger guys at the four, they can play athletic. When we had [Noah] Clowney -- we had [Charles] Bediako at the five, who was a really good rim protector, but when Clowney was our starting four at 6-10, athletic, can stretch the floor, our defense was also third in the country. Hopefully a combination of both sides of the ball, he can really help us make a big jump at that four spot."

With Bowen joining the roster and Aiden Sherrell still on the team, Alabama hopes to maintain tempo while restoring their interior presence it lost over the offseason. If Bowen can deliver on both ends of the court as Oats expects, he could become a crucial piece in helping the Crimson Tide remain one of the Southeastern Conference's most dynamic and competitive teams.