Zion Green Picks Alabama

Zion Green committed to the University of Alabama on Saturday, securing a second top-25 recruit for head coach Nate Oats in the 2027 class. The five-star forward announced his decision to ESPN, ending a recruitment process that included offers from several major programs.

Green, a 6-foot-9 forward from Philadelphia, is ranked No. 16 in the SC Next 100 for the class of 2027. He will play his senior season at AZ Compass Prep in Arizona after transferring from his previous school. His decision follows an official visit to Tuscaloosa in September, where he toured the facility and attended a team practice.

The forward cited the program's infrastructure and coaching philosophy as deciding factors. "They have a video jumbotron to show players film right during practice," Green said. He also addressed the perception that Oats discourages midrange shooting, noting that the coach allows players to take those shots if they make them.

Green observed that the practice environment is intense, with Oats holding all players accountable. "But off the court, he's funny and likes to joke around," Green added. He noted that the Alabama staff has been involved in his recruitment for several months, extending an offer in the spring and attending nearly every game of his.

"They first came to see me when I was at Mount Zion, and that means a lot," Green said. He credited the program for making him a priority throughout the process, even before he developed his current level of consistency. Green described the Crimson Tide's up-tempo style as a good fit for his physical frame and skill set.

The Philadelphia native has shown statistical improvement in recent tournaments. According to Cerebro, he shot 73 percent inside the arc and 40 percent from three-point range during the Border League. His long frame offers defensive advantages in shot contests and rim protection, while his offensive versatility allows him to push the ball in transition.

Green joins Chase Lumpkin, who committed in September, as the latest addition to Oats' 2027 recruiting class. This marks the sixth five-star prospect to choose Alabama since Oats took over in 2019. It is the third time in the past four recruiting classes that the Crimson Tide have landed a five-star player.