Rarely, if ever, do the top players in Alabama leave the state to play college basketball. They just don't. Look it up. The top dog in 2014 - Justin Coleman - isn't leaving the state either. The 5-foot-10 shooter/scorer/speedster from Wenonah High School verbally committed to Alabama on Wednesday afternoon.

Sources confirmed to HoopSeen.com that Coleman made the call to Anthony Grant and pledged to the program. Alabama spent the month of July hot on his trail and the persistence paid off.

What is the Tide getting in Coleman?

A player. That's what. Yes, he may be small in stature but his ability to get points within the flow of the game is impressive. As a shooter, he's one of the best in the biz, too.

Coleman scored 56 points at Decatur (Ga.) Columbia High School last December. He did it against Auburn guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen. He did it within the flow of the game. He did it at one of the hardest places to play in the South. He did against a three-time defending state championship team. He did it against one of the best defensive programs in the Peach State.

Coleman is a unique player, no doubt. He's not easy to defend nor is he easy to project. Consider his game similiar to Russ Smith meets Devan Downey (of Cincy/South Carolina fame).

Add his name to the list of the ones that stayed home. And that's big news for Anthony Grant and staff.