Alabama point guard Jahvon Quinerly will exit the Crimson Tide and enter the NCAA’s transfer portal, he said in a statement Sunday. The former five-star contender from the 2018 recruitment cycle started his career at Villanova before moving to Alabama in 2019 and was expected to be a key member of this year’s Crimson Tide roster.
Quinerly had to sit out a season due to the NCAA transfer rule and came on as a substitute for Alabama in the 2020-21 season. Last season, he was named the SEC’s Co-Sixth Man of the Year for averaging 8.7 points, 3.6 assists and 1.9 rebounds.
“I can’t say enough about Alabama basketball” Quinerly said in a statement. “My team, the staff and all my Bama fans were the greatest. They have hugged and treated me like gold from day one. The relationships I’ve built extend well beyond basketball and that’s something that made my decision to join.” The transfer portal has been so difficult for me. My basketball career was something any student athlete could only dream of. It’s definitely had some ups and downs but I’ve been very fortunate to have such a wonderful support system that has helped me through some of my tough moments and I think that’s what makes this message so emotional but also so exciting, to share them with everyone.
“Part of my journey is taking risks and following my heart. Sometimes, over time, we know it’s time to move on, take risks, and follow our heart. But this is a really bittersweet moment for me. In my time here, we’ve set records together, won championships together, made program history together… Thank you, Bama Nation. FOREVER. FOR EVERYTHING.”
Quinerly’s decision to enter the transfer portal comes just a month after he decided to withdraw his name from NBA draft consideration and return to school for one final season.
Alabama coach Nate Oats has been busy on the transfer portal this offseason, bringing in Hofstra guard Aaron Estrada and Cal State Fullerton guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Estrada is a two-time Colonial Athletic Association player of the year and Wrightshell earned All- Big West”. last season.