Alabama Basketball Recruiting: Tide show interest in two-way talent Greer

Alabama’s interest seems piqued for 2025 four-star wing Hudson Greer, as reported today by Derek Murray at Montverde. Greer has been on radars for quite some time now playing on the EYBL circuit and with USA basketball. After another strong summer playing AAU ball, he figures he will pick up even more interest.

Greer has an official visit scheduled for this Friday in Tuscaloosa where four-star London Jemison and five-star Caleb Wilson will join. As Nate Oats continues churning out NBA talent and deep tournament runs, elite prospects will likely flock to Alabama. Oats’ pro-style offense is a logical fit for Greer’s all-around offensive skillset on the wing. 

Across 13 games this Summer playing with JL3 Elite 17u, Greer averaged 12.1 points, 1.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds a contest on 49.1% true shooting. His efficiency waxed and waned, especially from the three-point line. But Greer’s two-way play helped him stand out on a JL3 team stacked with future high-major talent. 

His uninspiring efficiency from beyond the arc shouldn’t preclude the Tide from targeting Greer. Alabama relies on high-volume three-point offense, firing away like the most potent pro deep attacks. Greer shot just 22.8% from deep this year, though his volume and shot versatility are both positive indicators moving forward. He’s never been a strong free-throw shooter. That often correlates with shooting growth

That JL3 Elite team lacked significant three-point threats. It thrust Greer into a high-volume, diverse shooting role, which deflated his percentages but could be positive for his long-term development. Greer confidently sprints into movement triples and pulls off the dribble. He oozes confidence as a shooter even when the shots aren’t falling. That’s a positive sign for future shooting growth, especially in a potential Alabama offense where he’d feast on more open looks than he’s used to seeing.

i'd bet on hudson greer progressing as a shooter despite the low percentages this AAU season (22.8%, 39 3par). the versatility sprinting into jumpers off movement and off-dribble are good signs pic.twitter.com/Zl3GpUwqmE

— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) September 4, 2024

Outside of the shooting efficiency, Greer boasts a ready-made high-major wing skillset. He’s a complementary, two-way player, who impacts the offensive side of the ball in a multitude of ways. Greer might not be a dominant on-ball creator but he’s an excellent second-side attacker. Given Alabama’s glut of young point guards, Greer could fit seamlessly next to initiators like Labaron Philon or Aden Holloway. 

Greer drives with power and explosion, attacking closeouts and pushing relentlessly in transition. He’s aggressive hunting downhill opportunities in early offense, buoyed by JL3’s high transition frequency. Greer finished a strong 58.6% of his shots at the rim this summer, hopping off of one and two feet to explosively finish through contact. He dunked the ball 14 times, adding further evidence of his slashing prowess.

Without the basketball, Greer cuts hard and makes sound decisions, Many of his turnovers come from Greer’s loose handle, where stronger, quicker defenders will make him uncomfortable. Despite his low assist numbers, Greer flashes a diverse passing skillset, playmaking out of the pick and roll and firing simple connective passes.

Greer is a true difference-maker on the defensive end, making up for any of his perceived offensive shortcomings. He’s a bit on the older side — Greer turned 18 in late July — and dominated physically as older prospects should. His strength lets Greer stonewall handlers on drives. That paired with his lateral quickness lets Greer act as an effective point-of-attack defender.

hudson greer looked the part of an older prospect playing 17u this summer, his strength and power overwhemed players on both sides of the ball pic.twitter.com/T3irNKEzJj

— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) September 4, 2024

Flashes of secondary rim-protection process are critical for reaching his defensive ceiling. It’s rare for guards and wings at the high school level to defend the hoop like Greer can. Averaging just under a block per game, Greer routinely makes timely rotations to contest at the rim with verticality. With his combination of vertical pop off of two feet and core strength in the air, drivers have a tough time carving out space when he protects the rim.

At the moment, 20 different programs offer Hudson Greer spots, including notable schools such as Kansas, Texas, Kansas State, Auburn, BYU, Creighton, Arizona and LSU. The competition will be steep for Alabama to land the Texan two-way wing. Regardless, Greer makes sense as a target for Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide squad. Low-maintenance two-way wings are a valuable commodity at any level, especially for a pace and space-oriented team like Alabama.