Two of Alabama's three Class of 2024 pledges, five-star recruits Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell came off the bench for the West region in the McDonald's All-American game. Neither had an explosive offensive performance but that's difficult in an all-star game where the players don't have that much chemistry and the rotations were five in, five out. However, the lanky five-star prospects both showed flashes of their potential at Alabama.
Reid looks like a versatile wing on both ends and showed the capability of defending multiple positions at the next level. He had a coast-to-coast layup in the first quarter and was willing to take the ball up the floor as the lead guard. He looked a little uncomfortable handling the ball far beyond the arc at times but made up for one turnover with an impressive block on the other end. He was also a willing rebounder, grabbing a few on the defensive end and had a putback layup in the third quarter.
Sherrell is a more prototypical forward than Reid. Standing at 6-foot-10, 200 pounds, he operated as the roll man and set good screens, he was often open as the roller but his teammates didn't find him at times (chalk that up to playing in an all-star game with unfamiliar teammates). He also made several impressive plays defensively, walling up one-on-one with the bigs from the East team. He contested shots near the rim well and had a few blocks. If he puts some weight on before the season, he could potentially develop into the larger, rim-protecting big that Alabama has been missing this season. He certainly won't be Charles Bediako right away, but he seems to have the defensive IQ to get there.
Both players have work to do to improve as outside shooters but were willing to take 3s when open during the game. Reid's jumper went long on his shot attempts, while Sherrell's mechanics and confidence need work at the next level. Similar to Noah Clowney and Jarin Stevenson, they both possess tantalizing physical traits and can grow into versatile players on both ends and will become lethal on offense if they develop a consistent jumper from beyond the arc.
Reid looks like a versatile wing on both ends and showed the capability of defending multiple positions at the next level. He had a coast-to-coast layup in the first quarter and was willing to take the ball up the floor as the lead guard. He looked a little uncomfortable handling the ball far beyond the arc at times but made up for one turnover with an impressive block on the other end. He was also a willing rebounder, grabbing a few on the defensive end and had a putback layup in the third quarter.
Sherrell is a more prototypical forward than Reid. Standing at 6-foot-10, 200 pounds, he operated as the roll man and set good screens, he was often open as the roller but his teammates didn't find him at times (chalk that up to playing in an all-star game with unfamiliar teammates). He also made several impressive plays defensively, walling up one-on-one with the bigs from the East team. He contested shots near the rim well and had a few blocks. If he puts some weight on before the season, he could potentially develop into the larger, rim-protecting big that Alabama has been missing this season. He certainly won't be Charles Bediako right away, but he seems to have the defensive IQ to get there.
Both players have work to do to improve as outside shooters but were willing to take 3s when open during the game. Reid's jumper went long on his shot attempts, while Sherrell's mechanics and confidence need work at the next level. Similar to Noah Clowney and Jarin Stevenson, they both possess tantalizing physical traits and can grow into versatile players on both ends and will become lethal on offense if they develop a consistent jumper from beyond the arc.
