What Alabama basketball saw in Jalil Bethea debut, what Nate Oats wants more of

Jalil Bethea made his Alabama basketball debut in the 90-84 SEC/ACC Challenge win against Clemson.

After being sidelined for No. 12 Alabama's first seven games of the season, the Miami transfer guard entered the Wednesday, Dec. 3, game with 14:20 remaining to halftime and recorded two points with three boards and two assists while operating on a restriction.

In just six minutes of action, Bethea gave a brief glimpse into what Alabama is getting from the Philadelphia kid who became the highest-rated recruit in Hurricanes history.

A day before the victory over Clemson, coach Nate Oats spoke about what Bethea brings to Alabama's backcourt, which has already been touted as among the nation's best without him in the mix.

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"It gives us more depth in the backcourt. He's a very skilled offensive player," Oats said.

At Miami, Bethea averaged 7.1 points per game, shooting 36.8% from the floor and 32.6% from deep. Oats knows that Bethea is bigger than his rookie-year numbers, though, finding him to be a skilled downhill driver and elite, athletic shooter.

Still, Alabama is challenging Bethea to be a better, stronger defender.

Bethea came into Alabama billed at 6-foot-5, 190 pounds − his same height and weight while a freshman in Coral Gables.

"It's easier to put weight on when you're not practicing every day, burning all those calories off," Oats noted.

Oats credited Alabama's training staff with Bethea's development, saying that they've "done a really good job trying to change his body over" in an effort to make him a better defender.

While Bethea didn't have a turnover against the Tigers, Oats said ahead of his debut that he wants to see Bethea do a better job at taking care of the ball.

"Sometimes his decision-making needs a little improvement, but man, when he's got it going and playing in the open floor, he's one of the more talented kids we've had come through here," Oats said.

Knowing what the Crimson Tide has in its arsenal with Bethea, Oats is prioritizing keeping him healthy, and expects the early absence and brief minutes to help him be 100% down the stretch.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Jalil Bethea's spark vs Clemson hints big role for Alabama basketball