Alabama Basketball Guard Jahvon Quinerly to Enter Transfer Portal

The longest-tenured player on the Crimson Tide roster is apparently looking to play his final college season elsewhere.

Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Jahvon Quinerly will play a final season of college basketball, only it won't be with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Roughly a month after he withdrew his name from the NBA Draft and opted to use his final season of eligibility after a season that saw him earn SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year honors, the point guard announced that he plans to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal. 

"Part of my journey is taking risks and following my heart," Quinerly posted on Instagram. "Sometimes as time goes on, we know it's time to move on, take risks and follow our heart."

Quinerly has been playing since the 2018-19 season, but had to sit out the 2019-20 season due to the NCAA not granting him a waiver after transferring to Alabama basketball. Although a graduate student last year, he has an extra COVID year of eligibility, which is available to every student-athlete that played during the 2020-21 season.

Last season, Quinerly averaged 8.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and a team-leading 3.6 assists per game (which ranked ninth in the SEC). He finished the season with 1,149 career points with the Crimson Tide, and was named to the SEC All-Tournament Team for the second time.

“My basketball journey has been something that any student-athlete could only dream about,” he said. “It has definitely come with its shares 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 I think that’s what’s making this message so emotional but also so exciting to share with everyone.”

Because he’s a graduate transfer, Quinerly will be immediately eligible to play anywhere.

Many thought Quinerly would turn professional after the 2021-22 season, but after tearing his ACL in the opening minutes of the 2022 NCAA Tournament, he elected to return to Alabama to rehab his injury.

This led to a roller coaster of a season this past year, but one where Quinerly's resolve never looked stronger. He overcame his injuries and embraced a role coming off the bench after having previously been a starter the season before.

He was integral in Alabama's SEC regular season and tournament championships, and earned himself a spot in the starting lineup en route to the Crimson Tide's second Sweet 16 appearance in three years.

After three years in Tuscaloosa, Quinerly is head coach Nate Oats' longest-tenured player. 

Quinerly, who is 24 and will turn 25 in November, was the final Alabama player who tested the draft waters to announce his decision. Center Charles Bediako remained in the draft and wasn't selected, while shooting guard Mark Sears returned to the Crimson Tide. 

Quinerly's brother Jaden, a walk-on guard, entered his name into the transfer portal in April. He entered the portal last season as well, and decided to come back when Jahvon Quinerly decided to return to Alabama.

Joe Tipton of On3 was first to report that a source indicated the point guard planned to enter the portal. 

See Also:

Alabama Basketball Roster Tracker: 2023 Offseason