Former Alabama basketball player returns to SEC school after latest transfer portal stint

Former Alabama basketball player returns to SEC school after latest transfer portal stint

A former Alabama basketball player from the Crimson Tide’s 2024 run to the Final Four is heading back to the SEC after one season in Ann Arbor with the Michigan Wolverines.

Sam Walters, who averaged 12.3 minutes with 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game with Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide in 2023-24, is joining Mississippi State and coach Chris Jans. Walters made the announcement Thursday.

The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 12.7 minutes for Michigan in 2024-25 and suffered a season-ending back injury in February. Walters averaged five points and 1.6 rebounds a night in 23 games with coach Dusty May’s Wolverines