Alabama basketball point guard Jahvon Quinerly, a former five-star prospect, announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Sunday.
Alabama basketball thought they were getting SEC Sixth-Man of the Year Jahvon Quinerly back from the NBA Draft when he withdrew his name from consideration at the end of May.
As it turns out, Quinerly is just leaving Tuscaloosa by a different route.
On Sunday, Quinerly confirmed that he is entering his name in the transfer portal.
He released this statement via Joe Tipton of On3:
"I can't say enough about Alabama Basketball.
My team, the staff and all my Bama fans have been the greatest. You have embraced me and treated me like gold since day one. The relationships I've built have gone way beyond basketball and that's something that has made my decision to enter the transfer portal so difficult for me. My basketball journey has been something that any student-athlete could only dream about. It has definitely come with its share of ups and downs but I was very fortunate to have such a beautiful support system to help me through some of my difficult moments and think that's what's making this message so emotional but also so exciting to share with everyone. Part of my journey is taking risks and following my heart.
Sometimes as time goes on, we know it's time to move on, take risks and follow our heart.
But this is a truly bittersweet moment for me.
In my time here, we have set records together, won championships together and we have made program history together… Thank you Bama Nation. FOREVER. FOR EVERYTHING."
Alabama basketball loses SEC Six-Man of the Year to transfer portal
Quinerly was the Co-Sixth-Man of the Year in the SEC in 2022-23 alongside Kentucky's Antonio Reeves.
A five-star prospect out of Hackensack, NJ in 2018, he originally signed with Villanova. However, his time with the Wildcats was far from fruitful. He averaged just 9.1 minutes and 3.2 minutes per game and got into hot water when he called Villanova his "2nd choice for a reason" on social media when he was apparently unhappy with his playing time.
Quinerly landed at Alabama as a transfer but he had to sit out a season in line with NCAA transfer rules at the time. He emerged as a key player for the Crimson Tide and even picked up SEC Tournament MVP honors in 2021.
He started 27 games while averaging 13.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists during the 2021-22 season but suffered an injury during the NCAA Tournament.
Upon his return this past season, he took on a sixth-man role and averaged 8.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
It looks likely Quinerly is seeking a starting role and there should be plenty of takers interested in adding him.
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