Impressed by Coach Oats on the recruiting trail...

       The old saying is that proof is the pudding. That's an old English expression that means a time comes when your prior efforts at success will be judged. You either pass or fail. Nate Oates hasn't taken a Tide team to the hardwood, but his work ethic is impressive. The list of young players that Oats has recruited or contacted about coming to play basketball at the Capstone is impressive. I'm betting those efforts will pay off in the future.

       The first two players that Oats got in the fold were Kira Lewis, Jr. and John Petty,  Jr. Lewis would have been a consensus five-star player if he was senior in high school this season. Petty was a five-star player in some polls as a senior. Both were in the transfer portal until Oats convinced them to stay. each of these young players had close personal relationships with Avery Johnson. There were strained feelings on the part of these young men about Johnson being fired. Despite that, Oats gained their trust. They stayed. I believe next year will show improvement by each player. So when the recruiting is over, and the top ten lists are made it is unlikely that Alabama will be found. However, you throw in the pair and they are every bit as a new player as anyone else.