Barry Dunning, a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Alabama, committed Tuesday to the South Alabama basketball program.

“I’m coming home,” Dunning, a Mobile native, told AL.com.

The former 4-star recruit out of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School verbally committed to Richie Riley and the Jaguars during an appearance on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5.

“I feel like I fit pretty good with (coach Riley’s) style, free flowing, especially defensively,” Dunning said. “Sitting down, guarding guys. They want tough guys who want to win and play hard. I feel like that’s what I am.

“Going to McGill and playing at a program like that, you are always taught to go all out. I feel like coach Riley is the same in a way. I’m going in and showing some guys that we are going to put Mobile first. Put South first. Put the team first.”

The commitment comes two days after the Jags landed its first transfer commitment of the current cycle in Dylan Fasoyiro, a guard from Division II Daemen (N.Y.) University.

Dunning played in 15 games last year at UAB for Andy Kennedy but played only 65 minutes before entering the transfer portal in March.

“I’ve been to Arkansas and UAB,” Dunning said. “They are great places, and I learned a lot. This time around I feel like it’s just best to come home. Coach Riley’s a great coach, and I feel like he can develop me as a player. I just want to win some games at South.

“I was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. My mom is from Mobile. She went to South, too, so that’s really important to me as well. Playing for my hometown and playing for my city just means a lot, so I’m just really excited.”

The 6-foot-6 Dunning averaged 25.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game as a senior at McGill to lead his team to the AHSAA Final Four. In addition to being named the 2022 Mr. Basketball by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, he was a three-time first-team all-state pick and Most Valuable Player of the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.

“Barry has been through a journey his first two stops, and it’s good to see him coming back home,” McGill-Toolen coach Phillip Murphy told AL.com. “This will be a great fit for him. Just great to have our guy back in town. Go Jags!”

Dunning signed with Arkansas prior to his senior year at McGill and appeared in 16 games with one start as a freshman with the Razorbacks in 2022-23.

“I’m a more complete player,” Dunning said. “I feel like I have learned a lot, grown a lot, seen a lot. It’s prepared me to come back home and help this team win games under coach Riley. I’ve gotten better in a lot of areas. I see the ball a lot better. I’m a better ball handler. I understand the game more.”

South Alabama lost seniors Tyrell Jones, Isiah Gaiter, Samuel Tabe and Marshall Kearing to graduation. Last week, Marcus “Smurf” Millender entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The Jaguars are coming off a 16-16 season.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.