Jahvon Quinerly becomes latest Alabama player to explore NBA Draft

Jahvon Quinerly becomes latest Alabama player to explore NBA Draft

Jahvon Quinerly is reportedly heading to the NBA Draft, per Jon Rothstein.

The point guard became the third Alabama player in the last two days to announce their intentions for the NBA Draft, joining Brandon Miller and Charles Bediako.

Quinerly was from Hackensack, New Jersey, and was part of the celebrated “Jelly Fam,” a group of New York-area prospects who had a signature finger-roll finish. Quinerly was a former five-star prospect who found a home in Tuscaloosa, becoming a key part of two runs to the Sweet 16 and helping give the Tide two SEC tournament championships.

He was the most outstanding player in the 2021 SEC tournament and started in 27 games last year before tearing his ACL in the Tide’s opening-round loss to Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament. Quinerly returned in November, once again healthy and thriving after extensive rehab. He won the school’s first SEC co-6th man of the year award and was inserted into the starting lineup for the postseason run.

“I have brought [a sixth year] up with him,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said ahead of on Feb. 24 — Quinerly was recognized on the team’s senior day in 2022 and wore an ‘SEC Graduate’ patch on his jersey this month. “I don’t have an answer for you.

“He could probably make more money — he was one of those, with the whole Jelly Fam thing, his NIL opportunities would have been a lot bigger right when he was coming out of high school [in 2018]. He had a big name. But he’s been able to capitalize on it more now. You see his name popping up more on different things.”

In his Tide career, Quinerly averaged 11.8 points, 3.7 assists and 2.4 rebounds a game, shooting 34.8% from 3-point range.

Rothstein, of CBS Sports, tweeted that Quinerly is maintaining his college eligibility. Like Bediako, Quinerly can hire an NCAA-certified agent and potentially return to Alabama or elsewhere for a sixth season. Following Alabama’s season-ending loss to San Diego State last week, Quinerly said he wasn’t sure about his future plans.

The guard rotation may look a lot different for Alabama’s fast-paced offense next winter. Quinerly and Nimari Burnett, who left for Michigan, will need to have their minutes replaced. Davin Cosby, a mid-year enrolee, should see the court after following the team in the postseason. Jaykwon Walton transferred in from Wichita State.

Incoming 2023 freshmen Transfer portal additions Transfer portal departures NBA draft Exhausted eligibility
Davin Cosby (signed/reclassified to 2022 and enrolled early) Jaykwon Walton (Wichita St.) Nimari Burnett (Michigan) Brandon Miller Noah Gurley
Sam Walters (signed)     Charles Bediako (potentially) Dom Welch
Mouhamed Dioubate (signed)     Jahvon Quinerly (potentially)  
Kris Parker (committed)      

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].