Alabama basketball fans have plenty to be excited about when it comes to the 2026 recruiting class-and it all starts with Tarris Bouie. The 6-foot-6 wing out of Geneva, Ohio, just climbed the rankings in a big way.
In the latest update to the Top247 Player Rankings, Bouie jumped nine spots to No. 40 overall and now sits as the No. 17 small forward in the country. He’s also the No. 2 overall prospect in Ohio.
Not bad for Alabama’s lone signee so far in the class.
Bouie made his commitment to the Crimson Tide shortly after his official visit to Tuscaloosa last September, choosing Alabama over a strong list of contenders that included Cincinnati, Georgetown, Marquette, Mississippi State, NC State, Ole Miss, and Texas. He didn’t waste any time making it official, signing during the Early Signing Period in mid-November. Since then, his senior season at SPIRE Academy has only boosted his stock-and for good reason.
SPIRE Academy currently holds the top spot in the nation according to the SportsCenter Next Top 25 rankings, and Bouie has been a big part of that success. He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s turning heads with his all-around game, drawing some eye-opening comparisons in the process.
During the HoopHall Classic last week, ESPNU analysts couldn’t help but mention a familiar name for Crimson Tide fans: Brandon Miller. “The more you look at Tarris Bouie, sometimes you just see Brandon Miller,” one analyst said on the broadcast. That’s high praise, considering Miller’s standout season at Alabama and his quick transition to NBA stardom.
But the comparisons didn’t stop there.
“Alabama fans, get ready for your next great wing, which is nothing new under Nate Oats,” the broadcast continued. “He’s got a little Herb Jones in him as well with the way he can defend. If you can be a combo of Jones and Miller, sign me up to be his agent.”
It’s easy to see why the hype is building. Bouie brings length, athleticism, and a two-way skill set that fits perfectly in Nate Oats’ system.
He’s long, wiry, and plays with the kind of defensive intensity that makes coaches take notice. And on the offensive end?
He’s got the tools to score at all three levels, though he thrives in a system that prioritizes threes and layups-a perfect match for Alabama’s up-tempo, spacing-heavy attack.
And the Tide may not be done yet.
Four-star small forward Qayden Samuels out of District Heights, Maryland, is down to two schools: Alabama and Georgetown. A decision is expected soon, and all signs continue to point toward Tuscaloosa.
Samuels, the No. 18 overall prospect in the 2026 class, has been a long-time target for Nate Oats and assistant coach Preston Murphy. 247Sports analyst Travis Branham locked in a prediction for Alabama back in early November, and nothing has shifted since. Fellow analyst Eric Bossi echoed that sentiment recently, saying, “We’re definitely still expecting it to go Alabama’s way.”
Samuels fits the Crimson Tide mold to a tee. He’s a strong, physical wing who can heat up from deep and finish at the rim.
He’s not a mid-range guy by design-though he’s got that in his arsenal-but he thrives in a system that spaces the floor and plays fast. That’s exactly what he saw during his official visit to Alabama back in October.
“What stood out is that they don’t really shoot any from the mid-range,” Samuels said after the trip. “They shoot layups and threes, and they like getting out fast. I never really knew that about them before I went there.”
He also got a chance to sit with Coach Oats during a football game, and the full experience clearly left an impression.
“I liked the football game, and I liked practice too. I like how competitive it was,” he added. “They play hard, they play together, and I feel like that will fit me.”
If Alabama does land Samuels, it would give the Tide a one-two punch on the wing that could be special. Between Bouie’s length and versatility and Samuels’ strength and shot-making, Oats would be adding two high-level pieces who fit his system like a glove.
The 2026 class may only have one name inked right now, but if things go as expected, that number could double soon-and the future in Tuscaloosa would look even brighter.