Alabama Basketball and Top Prospect in State Parting Ways

The No. 1 basketball player in the state of Alabama is looking for a new place to go — requesting a release from his Letter of Intent.

Austin Hannon | Mar 30, 2023

RJ Johnson's Instagram (@rjjohnson_11)

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Alabama Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The top basketball player in the state of Alabama was committed to the Crimson Tide.

Now he's looking for somewhere else to go.

Combo guard R.J. Johnson, from Huntsville, Ala., is requesting a release from his Letter of Intent to The University of Alabama.

The No. 21 guard in the Class of 2023 committed to Alabama on Aug. 26, 2022.

Now, the Grissom High product is reopening his recruitment. He previously drew interest from the likes of Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Florida Atlantic — a program in this weekend's Final Four.

The Crimson Tide already suffered the loss of Nimari Burnett this week — who is entering the portal.

Alabama is also losing assistant coaches Bryan Hodgson and Charlie Henry from this year's staff.

The Crimson Tide picked up four-stars Sam Walters and Mouhamed Dioubate in this recruiting class.

Kris Parker remains committed. And on Tuesday, Alabama picked up Wichita State transfer Jaykwon Walton.

Austin Hannon joined the BamaCentral team in December 2022. He graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in sports media and brings a ton of journalism experience. Hannon is the former sports editor of The Crimson White, the University's school newspaper. Hannon's coverage focuses primarily on Alabama football, men's basketball and baseball. Contact: cahannon01@gmail.com

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