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Alabama forward Shannon Hale to return after briefly considering transfer

Alabama v Kentucky

(Getty Images)

Getty Images

With Ricky Tarrant and Devin Mitchell already having decided to transfer in the aftermath of Alabama’s head coaching change, a third player who was considering a possible move will stay.

Forward Shannon Hale, who missed the Crimson Tide’s final six games of the season with a foot injury, will return to Tuscaloosa for his junior season according to Michael Casagrande of AL.com. Hale’s decision makes him the leading returning scorer for new head coach Avery Johnson, as he averaged 8.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest in 2014-15.

“There was a thought about (transferring), but not really,” Hale said Thursday after Alabama’s team banquet. “I didn’t want to transfer.”

Alabama won’t lack for depth in the front court next season, as in addition to Hale Jimmie Taylor and Michael Kessens are also expected back. What the Crimson Tide will need is help on the perimeter, as Tarrant, Levi Randolph and Rodney Cooper were the team’s only double-figure scorers in 2014-15.

With that being the case, look for Avery Johnson and his staff (which has yet to be filled) to scramble for possible perimeter options during the spring signing period. One possibility is 6-foot-5 guard Dazon Ingram, who is expected to make his college decision on Friday.