The college basketball transfer portal has delivered another major move, with former NC State forward Cole Cloer committing to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Cloer, a highly-touted four-star prospect from the 2026 class, initially enrolled early with the Wolfpack this past January.

His time in Raleigh was short-lived, however. Following the departure of head coach Will Wade to LSU, Cloer decided to enter the transfer portal despite attending new coach Justin Gainey's introductory press conference. This pivot brings him to a program that was among his top choices coming out of high school, alongside schools like Florida, North Carolina, and UConn.

Cloer's commitment is a significant addition for Nate Oats' squad. A product of the prestigious IMG Academy in Florida, he was ranked as the No. 59 overall player and the No. 23 small forward in his class. His early enrollment at NC State, where he participated in team activities and rehabbed from an injury, means he arrives in Tuscaloosa with valuable experience, giving him a head start on the typical freshman transition.

For Alabama, this move reinforces their aggressive approach in the portal as they aim to build on a consistently successful era. The Crimson Tide are looking to rebound from a Sweet 16 exit last season, having reached at least that round in five of the last six years, including a historic Final Four run in 2024. Adding a versatile forward like Cloer provides immediate depth and future potential as they prepare for another competitive campaign in the SEC.