Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide are losing a very key part of their basketball squad Friday when it was reported that Rylan Griffen elected to enter the transfer portal.

The sophomore from Dallas, Texas, has played for the Tide for the last two seasons and started 33 out of 36 games this season.

He averaged 11.2 points per game to go with 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists and shot nearly 40 percent from the three-point line.

Just over a week ago, Griffen complimented head coach Nate Oats and labeled him the G.O.A.T.

“He’s the GOAT, in my opinion. He hasn’t got a Natty yet but trust me, he’ll get one. He’s the GOAT, truly. Everybody’s going to think that’s a hot take. There are a lot of terrific coaches out there but he’s special. He finds a way to win.”

“He’s the GOAT, in my opinion. He hasn’t got a Natty yet but trust me, he’ll get one.

He’s the GOAT, truly. Everybody’s going to think that’s a hot take. There are a lot of terrific coaches out there but he’s special. He finds a way to win.” Rylan Griffen on Nate Oats: pic.twitter.com/ycpVgTB7oi

The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) March 25, 2024

Griffen, along with Mark Sears, were the only players left after numerous Bama players either left in the transfer portal or went to the NBA; thus, it’s a shock to see Griffen choose to quit the team after being one of the leaders of this squad this past season.

Griffen has become the third athlete on the Tide’s roster to enter the transfer portal. He joins walk-on Max Scharnowski and guard Kris Parker as the other two.

The sole senior on this year’s team was transfer Aaron Estrada. There is no word yet on what Mark Sears or forward Grant Nelson, who is also a transfer, plans to do.