Devonta Pollard commits to play basketball for the Crimson Tide

The drought is finally over.

Alabama finally landed a basketball recruit for the 2012 recruiting class on Friday evening when 5-star forward and Mississippi’s Mr. Basketball, Devonta Pollard, committed to play basketball for the Crimson Tide.

The 6-foot-7, 200 pound forward had put off his commitment for quite a while, and ultimately his recruitment came down to a choice between Alabama, Texas, Georgetown, LSU and Missouri.

The phenomenal athlete was a McDonald’s All-American and averaged 23.8 points, 15.7 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game as a senior. He helped his high school, Kemper County, win the Class 3A state title in Mississippi.

Pollard will come to Tuscaloosa and immediately be a presence for Anthony Grant’s team. His ability to play numerous positions and stretch the floor will give Alabama another young and talented team to work with in 2012.

His strengths are numerous, but he has made quite a name for himself working around the rim and using his long and lean frame to impact plays defensively.

On offense Pollard can get out in the open floor and be a force comparable to Tony Mitchell, and he can also utilize a mid range game that is still a work in progress. Pollard is a lefty with a tendency to finish going both directions.

Pollard’s ability to block shots is something Alabama coaches and fans will surely look forward to when he steps foot on campus. His highlight films show a unique ability to time his jumps so as to defend without fouling and record a load of blocks. When Pollard isn’t blocking shots, he’s usually impacting his match-up with his athleticism.

The sky is the limit for Pollard, and he certainly comes from a phenomenal line of talent. Pollard’s mother, Jessie, was a professional women’s basketball player and has definitely transferred her abilities and work ethic to her son.

With Pollard’s commitment, Anthony Grant has now secured two 5-star recruits in two years. Devonta will definitely impact Alabama’s plans for the future in a positive manner and, barring any unforeseen setbacks, he will immediately contribute during the upcoming season.

Pollard is raw and has plenty of room to grow as a player. His jumper needs some work, and that’s not something that a player of his caliber goes without recognizing. He will improve as a player in Tuscaloosa, but with his current skill set he will fit in perfectly for a Crimson Tide team fashioned to get out and run in the open court. That’s where Pollard excels the most on offense.