Former Arkansas star Barry Dunning Jr., the former Alabama Mr. Basketball, has signed with UAB.

The former 4-star recruit out of Mobile’s McGill-Toolen Catholic High School signed with the Razorbacks a year ago over Memphis, Ole Miss and hometown South Alabama, among others.

“With UAB, I got along well with the coaches,” Dunning told AL.com. “We talked. It’s a good relationship, and they believe in me. They are giving me the opportunity to showcase what I can do. It’s closer to home. It’s not far from Mobile.”

Dunning explained the transfer portal, which he entered last month, is a different process than being recruited out of high school, comparing it to speed dating.

“I want to thank all the coaches for showing interest in me and recruiting me.”

UAB finished last season 29-10 – setting the program record for wins in a single season – and a second-place finish in the NIT, falling to North Texas in the NIT championship game.

Dunning joins Ole Miss sophomore James White as SEC players who have now transferred to play for coach Andy Kennedy. In addition, UAB announced the signing of Arizona Western duo Yaxel Lendeborg and Marquis Hargrove to a star-studded JUCO class that includes three of the top 10 players in the nation.

Dunning, a 6-foot-6 guard/forward, appeared in 16 games for Arkansas this season and started one.

“It’s going to hurt me (to leave) for sure,” Dunning said. “Arkansas will always hold a place in my heart. As soon as I committed here, they showed me nothing but love and gratitude. I thank them for all they did for me since I got here. It’s time to move on, and they were still showing me love when I entered the transfer portal. I just want give Arkansas a big thank you and wish them well.”

Dunning was a two-time Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year in high school and was named Mr. Basketball 2022 by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

He averaged 25.3 points and 12.9 rebounds as a senior at McGill-Toolen and helped the Yellow Jackets to the Class 6A final four. He also averaged 3.3 steals, 2.6 assists and 1.7 blocks. He was AL.com’s Coastal Alabama Player of the Year.

“It’s great to have Barry back in state and at a program with rich history and currently on the rise under Andy Kennedy’s leadership,” McGill-Toolen basketball coach Phillip Murphy said. “Barry’s ceiling is through the roof, and Blazers fans are about to be witness to it.”

UAB’s medical school and new conference – the American Athletic Conference – were also factors in his decision.

“UAB is a great medical school,” said Dunning, who said he is interested in exercise science and orthopedic sports medicine. “It’s the place for me.”

While the pull of returning home was there, he told AL.com that Birmingham is where he belongs.

“I was considering coming back to Mobile and playing,” he admitted. “But talking it over with my family and my inner circle, we just decided – after taking their wisdom and advice – UAB was the spot for me.”

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.