On Wednesday, Nov. 8, Spence Sims opened his senior season with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double to help the Fairhope Pirates take down the Vigor Wolves 56-47.

Three days later, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound all-state guard announced his verbal commitment to the Alabama Crimson Tide and head coach Nate Oats.

According to Prep Hoops, Sims is Alabama’s ninth-ranked prospect in his class and he’s the second-ranked guard in the state.

Last season as a junior, Sims set Fairhope’s single-game scoring record with a 46-point performance in a duel against the state’s top guard prospect, Baker’s LaBaron Philon. Once an Auburn commit, Philon has since transferred to Link Academy in Missouri and signed with the Kansas Jayhawks on Nov. 8.

Sims was a third-team all-state selection after he helped the Pirates to a fourth consecutive area championship and a trip to the regional finals. Sims was also one of three Baldwin County athletes named AHSAA All-Stars after the season.

Alabama was one of the schools the Sims visited during his sophomore season when he took in an 87-78 win over Baylor on Jan. 29, 2022. He also made trips to Samford and Ohio before he visited Tennessee Tech and South Alabama during his junior season.

The Crimson Tide are fresh off their second regular season and tournament titles from the Southeastern Conference in the last three seasons where they went on to earn the school’s first No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Alabama eventually fell in its ninth overall Sweet 16 appearance to close with a 31-6 record and a 16-2 mark in conference play.

This season started 2-0 with Crimson Tide victories over Moorehead State and Indiana State. Alabama is scheduled to host the South Alabama Jaguars on Tuesday, Nov. 14.