re: UA Basketball Recruiting

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Alabama is hosting Top-35 junior Dallan ‘Deebo’ Coleman for an unofficial visit today, he told @Stockrisers. Says he will plan an official visit to Tuscaloosa for after his high school season.

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He hasn't set a date to announce his commitment yet, but it shouldn't be too much longer before we hear from five-star big man Isaiah Jackson about his college future.

Over the weekend, the high-flying big man who is among the country's top shot blockers completed his third and final official visit to Alabama. Previously, he saw Kentucky and Syracuse.

I know that there has been a lot of buzz for the Crimson Tide on this one and Jackson could be a huge score for first-year head coach Nate Oats. Previously, I had been favoring Kentucky for Jackson but I've never felt strong enough about any school's standing with him to predict it as his ultimate destination.

I'm still not quite ready to log a pick, but I am starting to lean toward Alabama here. With many of the available five-stars looking as if they could pass on the Early Signing Period, Jackson's decision is going receive a lot of attention over the next few weeks.

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Has he told Kira though?

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“It was nice,” Wes Jackson, Isaiah’s father, told BamaOnLine. “It was kind of indescribable. They went all out to make sure that it was a memorable one for us. The program that they have there, the institution that the University of Alabama is, was displayed on several levels. Their football program, we all know is the best in the country. But as it resonates to their basketball program and what they said they what to begin with Coach (Nate) Oats is great. I’m happy for him more than anything being a Michigan guy and just having a genuine love for Coach Oats, Bryan Hodgson, and then I was able to meet Coach (Antoine) Pettway and the other guys, other coaching staff and the secretaries, everybody was just amazing. They made sure that we were comfortable, our stay was informative, as well as just a memorable weekend. It was awesome.”

Oats laid out their vision for Jackson and his family.

“I think Coach Oats is going to be one of the next up-and-coming greats,” Wes Jackson said. “I believe the way that he runs his offense, the way that he utilizes position-less basketball, which if a guy is desiring to turn pro, it’s a good place, it’s a good stop to sharpen your craft to get ready for the pros. He sold his program being one that helps guys that will make it to that level, whether here in the states or overseas, to where they can transition to that next step in their evolution. His program, even though it’s his first year, I saw how he transitioned that team. We were able to sit through two practices to see the way they run their offense. How he has changed the guys and to be able to talk to the guys that were there before he got there, even the coaches, and the transition that took place, helped me understand that this guy is remarkable as a coach.”

With three official visits taken to his three finalists, a decision is expected in the not-too-distant future. Jackson plans to sign next month.

“No sense in prolonging it,” Wes Jackson said. “Less focus on this and more focus on the season and my son polishing his craft. I want to get him above a freshman college level coming into college. If we concentrate more on basketball, his game, growing him more as a leader, getting his body ready, we can get him ahead of the curve and that’s our plan.

“I have as much information I think that a father can give a son as far as his decision. It’s just up to him to pull the trigger given the information, the facts, and seeing where that school is going, and what school can make him a pro, and also mentor him as a young man. That’s what’s more important to me than anything — the mentorship as a man.”

Where do things stand with the trio of finalists?
8COMMENTS

“We’re still discussing them,” Wes Jackson said. “Each one has its own particular brand. All three in my opinion fit him for different particular reasons. I think the three that we’ve got for Isaiah and what he does, at first I was kind of leery, I think he made three good picks. Now it’s just about narrowing down who would be best. I believe all of them would work. I’m going to feel like we lose either way it goes because I wish we could have all three. To me it’s three great coaches, three great programs, and staff from all three were great.”

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